CFB07/20 01:21 PM
I’ve lived in Raleigh for a little over six years. On the plus side: nice greenery; abundance of birds; a good rock n’ roll radio station; decent library system; and good used furniture store. That’s about it.
Negatives: public transportation is terribly inadequate and probably will remain so as Raleigh/Triangle has some of the worse sprawl in the nation. With the exception of the areas around downtown, there aren’t any real or distinctive neighborhoods or districts. Given the ubiqitousness of cul-de-sac living, walking is near impossible and any sense of community vibrancy is totally lacking. You can’t live in Raleigh without a car—which as of summer 2008 is putting a lot of people around here in a bad situation. Given the mild climate, it’s a shame there aren’t more biking lanes for those who wish to commute in that manner. What’s more troubling is the lack of water: since I’ve lived here Raleigh has experienced several droughts. Worse, there are few natural lakes and rivers that make city life enjoyable.
To anyone thinking of relocating—anywhere, I’d recommend reading Jane Jacobs, James Howard Kunstler, and google New Urbanism. Look at the city you’re currently living and make a detailed list of what attributes would make you prosperous and happy. Just working a job, even a good one, isn’t enough reason to move to another place.
Raleigh does not have a sustainable future. I will be leaving soon, heading back to Minneapolis which has a fairly decent bus system; a light rail line which will be expanding, lots of sidewalks, cafes, restaurants, plentiful cultural attractions, numerous lakes, and the Mississippi River. It’s also more ethnically and economically diversified.
One final comment. Southerners often ask how I could stand the cold climate of Minnesota. Yes, it does get cold in Minnesota. But it’s awfully hot and miserable in Raleigh from mid- June to mid-September, making venturing outdoors unpleasant. For most people in these parts being warm and comfy for most of the year substitutes for any real sense of city life, culture, and community. Raleigh might be flying high now but its poor design—sprawl (and few centralized work/neighborhood hubs - besides downtown and RTP) resulting in serious public transportation challenges plus continuing drought conditions and overall lack of water sources in the city, make it a risky place to live in the future.
Just a bit more. Raleigh is behind the times, but getting better in their recycling efforts. They also need to get going ASAP on community gardening/farming. Raleigh, its leaders, and its citizens need some real help in envisioning what a city is really all about.
Good luck.
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