I am an eclectic urbanite, well, according to Kyle Exell. I think its fun to be part of a new and active neighborhood. I am expressive and need to feel free to be able to express that freedom in a variety of situations. I have many diverse hobbies and interests and I enjoy having the best city views possible out of as many windows as possible. I have lived so close to downtown it is hard to imagine not to anymore. I love going to farmer’s markets and buying food from other non-traditional places such as the little corner market, which sells ingredients from the Philippine. I consider myself an outcast and I tend to surround myself with outcasts. I have always lived in the city near the artists and the crazy eco-“nuts”. I love being able to leave my house and see the matinee show at the theater down the street or I love being able to walk down the street to see the many festivals and block parties Providence has to offer. I love walking down the stairs knowing that there will be new people I will meet once I step out of the door. I tend to love to visit the small ethnic shops around my house; they always offer really cool things that are fairly inexpensive. I have always lived near the mall or a shopping center at that and I love being able to walk down there and see the different people who come to a mall for different reasons. Often I will sit and people watch and see how different people act from the way I act.
I will be attending (hopefully) Suffolk Law School next year and I think I picked the perfect environment for me to be around. The link above is of the Suffolk area. Suffolk is situated in the heart of downtown Boston and it has so much diversity, it could make your head spin. I love going to Boston often and I love being able to hop on the train and it could take me anywhere really. I don’t really like quiet and living in the city gives me enough noise to satisfy that need. I love that in this area has the main elements that I love; great food and great shopping. I believe that Ezell’s quiz definitely pin-pointed me to be the right urb.
Mike Swanson responds: One of the more eclectic areas to live, though it doesn't much look like it, is the "Back of the Hill"--the side going down towards Cambridge Street. In the 1920s the many of the townhouses were cut up into rooming houses, and from the early 19th century it had a strong Black presence. The African Meeting House is a block or so from the corner here. Suffolk is a ten minute walk...less if you're late for class. The statehouse is at the top of the hill and over the ridge, the Boston Common. And even gaslights. REAL gaslights. The corner looks dull, I grant you, but there are real neighborhod stores on Myrtle Street. For neighborhood style night life, to go to Charles Street, or Cambridge Street. To shop till you drop or hit a flick head over the hill and past the common.
I would see myself living in an eclectic urb. San Diego had a very diverse population which i would enjoy through learning from my neighbors. Raising children in a community of diversity would allow them to grow more than if they were surrounded predominately by their own race. I do get bored very easily, which is why i would enjoy living so close to the city and the ocean. It is the best of both worlds in my opinion. I hate the idea of having to travel miles to a simple grocery or convenience store, which is why i would not do well in garden urb. Again, as peaceful as it may be, i would find it too hard to meet basic daily necessities. I live in a community right now that is not only very rural and neighbor friendly, but any grocery store, gas station, DUNKIN DONUTS (very important, i would nottt enjoy traveling more than 5 minutes to get my morning coffee), or general shopping location is less than minutes away.
I would love to live in Huntington Beach California on or right off of seapoint ave. I have been to this area before in my travels to CA, and i absolutely loved it because it is right near the water, but still has a city atmosphere being so close to Los Angeles. As peaceful as a place in the woods sounds, i would not want to be secluded somewhere in my home. Maybe having to do with the fact i am scared just being in my dorm room alone, but being close to the city and water are two important things i would look for when choosing a location. As much as i love RI's beautiful view of the ocean, the weather is not to my liking. I hate the cold, especially when we get only rain with that cold weather. Not seeing snow would not phase me, i have family all over MA to visit incase i ever miss those white flurries. I have been to California numerous times, and each time i love it more and more. I would not raise my family in the heart of a city because i believe it is very important to have neighborhood streets that are safe to play on growing up. I grew up in a very friendly neighborhood with lots of kids, and that made my childhood all the more better.
Mike Swanson adds: Of course if the traffic comes to a dead halt, the kids can play safely. :-) Nect time you're out there, drop in on my niece's college, Occidental. She's acting in a play this weekend. Oxy is on the left, if you follow the link.
As I have completed the Urbanite evaluation, I have been determined to be that of a Garden Urbanite. The location I have chosen (Brackett Street, Milton MA), has majority older style country type homes which are accompanied by decent sized front porches, and in some cases a wrap-around deck. Several of these houses do indeed have ample garden space (for some, already existing gardens) as well as an abundance of trees. Now while I will admit I do like white picket fences, while they are located here and there around the neighborhood, they are certainly not a feature of every house on this particular block. This also meets the criteria pertaining to many mixed uses (industrial, manufacturing), in that its main function is essentially just to house its residents (residential). While there are a few small shops and independently owned restaurants in the surrounding area, I certainly would not consider this area to be an industrialized or mainstream location. Another aspect that certainly catches my attention is the predominantly wooden-shingle sided houses as opposed to steel plating as Ezell mentions. All houses are equipped with a patch of ground, although some bigger than others, a splendid patch none the less. Another aspect of this neighborhood, as Jane Jacobs’ would certainly enjoy, are the 2 parks located in the immediate area. While the first one is essentially just a giant patch of grass almost acting as an island that is surrounded by houses, Andrew’s Park is located just down the street. Andrews Park would certainly be up to par as it has multiple uses; several baseball fields, soccer field, basketball court, tennis court, a playground, and plenty of open space for various activities. This park also has areas of high elevation (including a hill that is used for sledding in the winter), as well as low riding areas, which were trademark necessities that Jacobs had discussed. Ultimately, by offering such a variety of uses, both the park, and sidewalks will be utilized and different times of day, and for several different reasons which will lead to one thing; having “eyes in the streets”. By having these eyes in the streets, as Jacobs had discussed, this neighborhood as a whole will be an exceptionally safe environment.
In conclusion, not only does this neighborhood seem to fit nicely in the Garden Urbanite category, but it also seems to be my ideal neighborhood. I addition by having such commodities as Andrews Park just down the street, and offering multiple uses, this neighborhood is sure to be not only lively and active but also extremely safe. People are sure to be using the sidewalks, and park(s) at all times of the day which will create the “eyes in the streets” effect.
**Note; while you may be able to see Belcher Circle park through Google maps (the one mentioned as being the grass “island surrounded by houses”), Andrews park is tough to see at any angle as Google maps doesn’t allow you to enter the actual park. I will try to find some outside photos for you to take a look at.
Mike Swanson muses: I've gone right past Milton about a million times on the Southeast Expressway. So that's what I've been missing. I'll have to see if the MBTA has a bus out there or something. Milton may have the only street named after an eye condition.
Innovative Richard Olsson checks in from an eclectic urb in Charleston.
Based on my survey would I opt to live in what is usually the most innovative area of the city, the eclectic area. I was very drawn to the architecture in this neighborhood in Broad Street which features many examples of Charleston, South Carolina’s amazing architecture. I have a desire to live in a place that I would find beautiful. I think it really sets your mood in a good way. If you are truly happy with the area in which you live you will find it easy to accommodate to a surrounding which will be pleasing to the eye. It also seems like you will find the more artsy, bohemian types in that part of the city and that is appealing to me because I’ve always considered myself an eccentric weirdo, interested in art. The beautiful aesthetic is topped off by the vibrant presence of the palm trees. I had the opportunity to walk down this street in summer 2006, while visiting for Rock n roll concert and I was instantly smitten with this setting. I felt the energy of the street and the people were very friendly, more so than where I’m from in New Jersey. There was a beautiful randomness to this type of environment and I loved it.
Mike Swanson chimes in. This is probably why Major Anderson tried to defend Fort Sumpter at the opening of the Civil War. You're not the only class member taken by Charleston. Maybe you can throw an alumni reunion down there, half Garden, and half Eclectic.
