Originally Posted by
WichitaSooner
Well, maybe having to read things on this board that Choctaw should be developing an urbanscape instead of a large grocery store with a parking lot on site has me trigger happy. But, to be honest, it's like a broken record. Whenever there is mention of any business or something developing somewhere other than downtown it's automatically an instant complaint about sprawl and a condescending attitude that if it's not downtown and goes upwards it's somehow a blight to our community.
No, actually.... people that live here know what Oklahomans want. The reason homes and neighborhoods are developed the way they are isn't because businesss owners decided to make the decisions for us.... it's done the way that they know will be successful. And, your assumption that the "vast majority" would want to live in walking distance from all their needs is not only laughable, but actually an absolute insult. I can promise you have no clue what Oklahomans really want. You have some very strong feelings about what you THINK we should want if we knew any better... But, the fact is we aren't all trapped here and only live in cookie cutter homes in tract neighborhoods that are force fed to us and live lives as sorry sacks because we just aren't urban enough. In fact, you don't even LIVE HERE. How on earth can you make any assumption about how Oklahomans want to live when you don't even talk to Oklahomans on a daily basis? It's absolutely stunning how ridiculous you sound.
You want to hear something amazing? I have a 45 minute commute to work. And I LOVE IT. I embrace it. And, the insinuation that I am somehow "doing it wrong" because you think I should be walking to work is what makes me comment to you in this way. Yes, I think we should have more urban spaces and development here... because we do lack the options in many ways. And, I think diversity is a good thing and we should embrace that. But, that's far removed from killing our current suburban lifestyles because you and a few urbanists think that it's the wrong way to live.
I can think of few things I would hate more than having to drive into downtown to go to work every day. And, despite your assumptions from afar, most Oklahomans feel the same way I do. That's just the way it is. Sure there is some demand for downtown urban living... Hell, I'm 39 and divorced and I'm thinking pretty hard about moving to somewhere in the Deep Deuce/Midtown area soon. I would only move down there because I feel that as a single person I am far removed from the "scene" as it were... but, if I had a family I most definitely would not want to live anywhere near those areas. And, when I'm a little older I will surely be looking back to the suburbs for a nice quiet place in the grass that's a decent drive to my work. And, again, most Oklahomans feel the same way. Despite how it pains you, it's just the way it is.
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