Life on Foot
We recently moved from a rural suburb in Massachusetts to a small coastal village in Rhode Island.
It’s been transformative, and I wish I’d done it sooner!
Trickle-Down Effects
Unlike a city, a village has homes with yards. Unlike a suburb, a village has businesses and parks intermixed with homes. It’s the best of both worlds.
Being able to walk or bike places has trickle-down effects.
- Instead of driving 20 minutes one-way to get groceries, I can ride my bike there in 5 minutes.
- Because the grocery store is so close, I don’t need to “stock up.” I go every day and buy less with each trip.
- Because I’m only buying what I need for that day or the next or so, my meats and produce are much fresher.
- Because I can ride my bike there, I’m getting more exercise every day and spending less time sitting.
- Because there are so many shops nearby, its easier to go out and do things.
- Because it’s easier to access entertainment out of the house, I buy less stuff and spend less time at home.
- Because I need fewer things at home to keep me from being bored, I can give away a lot possessions.
- Because I have less stuff, it’s easier to keep my house clean and tidy.
And so on…
Random Interactions
Another trickle-down effect of getting out of the house more is that I have a lot more conversations with strangers.
I’ll see a cute dog on the bike path and start talking to its owner. I’ll compliment someone’s shirt in the market and we’ll strike up a conversation. I’ll say hi in passing or wave at a stranger while riding my bike, and they’ll wave back.
These kinds of random interactions are common place in cities, but virtually nonexistent in most suburbs.
A village makes them far more common, and they nourish my soul! It’s something I wasn’t aware I was missing until we moved down here.
Urbanism
I wasn’t really a fan of urbanism because I hate cities.
But now that I’m aware of the village layout—now that I’m basically living in my own Sesame Street—I’m sold! This is my happy place!