Global Warming
Are Suburbs Really That Bad?
How to live in suburbia without spoiling culture and the environment.
My spouse has a deep and preoccupying hatred for suburbs. I learned this recently as we walked through one. I pressed her with questions about her disdain and she became increasingly agitated.
“They all look the same. The houses are ugly. Look at that fake brick facade. It’s made of plastic,” she scoffed. I looked at it, and realized, she had a point.
For context, we’re considering owning a new home in the coming year or two. The idea of a suburb does appeal to me — namely because you get more square footage for less money. And, having worked in construction, I know the building process is standardized and less prone to defects. Also, suburbs are quieter and feel safer.
After I elaborated on these points, she retorted, “Yes, but then you have to live in a suburb.”
And in fairness, suburbs carry many flaws. Namely, they’re quite damaging to the environment, eating up large swaths of land and giving off 400% more carbon emissions than alternatives. This mainly happens because suburbs are further from businesses and jobs, resulting in more driving. Even when your suburb is near a business, zoning requirements often result in…
