Is America's Suburban Dream Collapsing?

[tinrobot]

For a long time, Toronto ran counter to events in the United States; in the last 40 years there has been a dramatic switch where the rich live in the centre, and the poor have moved to the suburbs. The downtown rapidly gentrifies, while the new suburbanites have fewer social services, lousy transit and lots of cars. Now it is happening, rapidly, in American cities as well. Lara Farrar writes for CNN a depressing article titled Is America's suburban dream collapsing into a nightmare?

Now it is happening, rapidly, in American cities as well. Lara Farrar writes for CNN a depressing article titled Is America's suburban dream collapsing into a nightmare?

While the foreclosure epidemic has left communities across the United States overrun with unoccupied houses and overgrown grass, underneath the chaos another trend is quietly emerging that, over the next several decades, could change the face of suburban American life as we know it.


more: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/is-the-suburban-dream-collapsing.php

A map of Toronto illustrating the flight from the suburbs:

[Purveyor]

1. The number of foreclosed homes in the mid-michigan area is staggering.

While you knew of the vacant houses with a 'For Sale' sign in the front yard many are surprised by the number of empty houses with unkept yards without even a 'For Sale' sign out that went unnoticed before.

They really stand out as the grass continues to grow.

[Howler]

2. MAN here in Ohio It's already collapsed! N/T

[OwnedByFerrets]

3. And the sheeple masses dont even recognize it

when it kicks them in the teeth.

www.wearableartnow.com

[Howler]

4. OHHH ...I really think they recognize it..... Just watch. N/T

[eppur_se_muova]

5. For the CNN article referred to, see here ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3465595&mesg_id=3465595

[Doctor Cynic]

6. That's not accurate.

The area *outside* of Toronto's city limits, the *outer* suburbs, have exploded during this period. Most of those suburbs have been middle class. In fact the City proper makes up less than half of the total greater area's population.

It turns out the *inner* suburbs have declined and the *outer* suburbs have continued to expand (at a slower pace than most US cities). It's also important to understand that those areas close to the biggest rapid transit lines have gained the most.