A recent article at CNN discussed how suburbia as we know it may be changing …
Long story short, those interviewed in the article predict that because of things such as energy prices and a movement towards “walkable urbanism,” McMansions will soon be multi-family housing for poor families and once blighted areas of urban cores will become the “new American Dream.”
To me, the article has much relevance to the Phoenix area. More than any other city I’ve visited, the Phoenix metro area has taken the concept of suburbia and taken it to new levels. A drive from the center of Queen Creek, AZ to downtown Phoenix is just under 40 miles - each way. From Surprise, AZ to downtown Phoenix? 30 miles each way. That makes it just under 70 miles from one suburb of Phoenix to another.
To put it in an even crazier light:
The Phoenix metro area encompasses 514 square miles. The Los Angeles metro area, often the worldwide definition of a city whose suburban sprawl is out of control, encompasses 469 square miles.
It’s pretty crazy when you think of it that way, in my opinion. My wife and I, who are expecting our first child in October, have been considering a move within the next year due to our changing conditions. We’re torn between wanting to look further out to get more house or paying the same (or possibly more) and getting less house but closer in to the action. And by action I mean shopping, entertainment, etc. We’ve even considered one of Tempe’s downtown area which would allow for “walkable urbanism.”
When we found out we were pregnant we were paying gas prices of under $3 a gallon in Phoenix (the average in February was about $2.80). Now, a little over four months later the average price has soared to $4.14.
In my opinion, “high” energy prices are here to stay. As nice as it was while it lasted, America has been living in a dream world with such low energy costs compared to the rest of the world. As a result, we haven given a second guess to continued development and pushing the edges of suburbia further out. Moving “up” versus “out” would not have allowed for a large backyard, pool and 3,000 square foot McMansion.
But, as I’ve said before, I think that due to the surge in energy prices we’ll start to see real advancement in alternative fuels and mass-transit.
Because that’s my opinion on energy prices, my wife and I are taking our search for a new home not outward but inward. Giving up space to be a part of a walkable neighborhood like downtown Tempe. Saving on gas and reducing our carbon footprint is also a plus.
What do you think? Do you think much of suburbia is on the verge of flip-flopping from a slice of paradise to an area for financially-challenged families?
Feel free to leave comments and let me know!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Pat 07.08.08 at 11:57 pm
I’m almost 60 yrs old. Growing up, we walked to most of our destinations. The movies, an ice cream cone, a few groceries, the dentist, the playground, etc. Our parents walked too. TOday, walking is just for exercise. The concept of building up, not out, makes sense. With energy costs so high, having businesses and shops within walking distance would be like turning back the pages of time when people used their legs (and bikes) as a form of transportation.
Brad 07.08.08 at 11:57 pm
I agree, Pat. If energy prices continue to stay high and continue to rise, as many expect, then we’ll need to rethink how we grow. In the Phoenix valley, we have a bad habit of building outwards and not upwards - although there are some signs of progress in the upwards growth area in places like the Mill Avenue district of downtown Tempe, downtown Phoenix and Old Towne Scottsdale.
And even though food prices are also on the rise - if energy prices continue to soar, it won’t be long before the cost of driving to the grocery to pick up a gallon of milk costs more than the actual gallon of milk.
It’s time, as a nation, we rethink our growth strategies.