Is the planner dream real, if so, do you live it?

[michaelskis]

I do not know if it is the lack of sleep from the past few days, or what it is, but something dawned on me. Do we live the lifestyle we preach? There are many things that we have been taught as planners... smart growth good, sprawl is bad... but if we step back and look at where we are at right now, do your life styles fit our beliefs? We talk about alternative transportation and all, but how many of us drive to work on a regular basis. I am guessing we drive just about everywhere we go. We say that it is because of the way the place that we live does not have such things, but then why do we live there? Why don’t we all live in downtown Madison WI? More so, if sprawl is so bad, why does it keep increasing. Do people really like downtowns and urban areas to live in? Or are they just becoming work centers as the American population segregates it self other “uses” of land. I know that I am just as if not more guilty of this as anyone else on here. I live and work in a community that does not even have a downtown. This city was created because of Urban Sprawl. I know that someday, once I can afford the life style I want, I will live it. I guess that I am more so asking who here is living the planners dream, and if we are believing a fairy tale?

 

[JNL]

I live and work in a community that does not even have a downtown. This city was created because of Urban Sprawl. I know that someday, once I can afford the life style I want, I will live it.

I think you've identified the answers to your question - often the nicest places to live are unaffordable to a lot of people. Once you can afford that lifestyle, you will live your dream. But a lot of places aren't like that, and in the meantime we have to live somewhere.... diversity is what makes things interesting. Your ideal neighbourhood may look completely different to someone elses.

I don't live "the dream" (whose dream?) - I work on encouraging walking and use of public transport and I drive to work every day. But I am out of walking range and PT sucks out to where I work. Sometimes I even make short trips that aren't essential 8-! but I always feel guilty and try to combine multiple tasks if I go out in my car.

You are in your job to help shape the form of things so that people will have nice places to live in the future, yes?

Small steps. I dream criminologist-type dreams about making places safer... and if I can gradually make a few places safer then surely I'm making some difference?

 

[JNL]

Oh, and you think too much. Have a beer instead :-D

 

[Michele Zone]

Oh, and you think too much. Have a beer instead :-D

Actually, he sounds desperately in need of a nap. But we are at our most creative when sleep deprived and that right hemisphere kicks in, so maybe he is onto something.

Most of my marriage we have had one car. I live on the bus route to the military base and I do take the bus sometimes. We chose this apartment complex in part because it was in bicycling distance to my husband's job. He used to bicycle to work pretty regularly. His back problems are too serious at the moment for him to do that. Perhaps he will never be able to do so again.

But, in place of two cars, we have 4 computers. So there are trade-offs involved if you want to still fully participate in modern life. My husband and I both take online classes and we homeschool. Four computers at home is a substitute for sending the kids to public school and sending us to a college campus. It works for us. But it isn't necessarily leaving a "lighter footprint" on the environment. I have never tried to calculate it. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I just don't know.

I think we do need better public transit choices available, as well as more housing options. But I also think that anyone can make better choices, within limits. I did not find a two car lifestyle to be a big improvement for us. It was necessary at the time because we lived 40 miles from the nearest town and more than 70 miles from a town adequate to serve any of our needs that weren't met by what was available on the base. Many year ago, I read a book by Charles Long called "Surviving without a salary." It made the point that a second car typically costs thousands of dollars per year and most folks never stop to think about it.

 

[BKM]

Do I personally live "the planners' dream"? Yes and no.

Yes: I DO live in a "traditional downtown neighborhood." I can walk to shopping, restaurants, a health club, etc, and I do try to walk when I can. There are excellent roads for bicycling within ten minutes of my townhouse. And, I do live in a slightly denser arrangement than the standard single family home-and it's a quite diverse residential neighborhood (from mansions to shacks)

No: I work 8 miles from home, and I almost always drive. I am actually more of a big city person, so I drive to the San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento a LOT. (That may reflect a solitary lifestyle and sheer restlessness, but I burn more than my share of gasoline ). I can walk to shopping, but I usually drive to the "nicer" grocery store five miles away.

I do prefer my older, mixed use, mixed building form neighborhood, and I cannot imagine myself living in a standard tract house subdivision-or even a neighborhood of custom homes on large lots (unless, like Miramar, it abuts the Ocean ) Given the money, I would consider a move to Berkeley or San Francisco in a minute.

 

[JNL]

Do I personally live "the planners' dream"? Yes and no.

That's probably true for all of us - we can find examples of how we do, and how we don't. I drive to work every day, but I love living in an inner city apartment. From living in the 'burbs all my life, I shifted to the city 2.5 years ago and love it - so many restaurants, cafes, movie theatres, the CBD, oh and pubs of course :-D, all within easy walking distance.

 

[Zoning Goddess]

Until we can elect public servants, not career politicians, it ain't gonna happen, they're too tied to special interests.

Plus, critical mass among the general population hasn't been reached. In Florida at least, there is a general discontent, but I don't think most people have the brain power to tie that to sprawl issues. And all planners do not embrace the same goals. Some are land-use oriented, some transportation, etc, so I think we have different dreams and goals.

I have no interest whatsoever in living in a downtown because I would rather have privacy and quiet and I don't have interest in the downtown nightlife. I balance that, in some measure, by owning an older home and never, ever watering my lawn. When I worked in a small downtown, it was great, I could hit the library, post office, etc., all within a block, but I don't want to live there.

 

[michaelskis]

Oh, and you think too much. Have a beer instead :-D

Even you said that you think too much as well... so, when your here, we will have to a share a beer!

 

[boiker]

I've always strive to reduce my car time and increase my walking possibilities. I live about a 5 minute walk from a bus stop that stops right in front of my work. My neighborhood is a semi-dense 1920s era end-of-the-streetcar line area. I can walk to a park, library, a walgreens, a number of restaurants, a couple banks, and a middle school (when my kids get that age). I do drive downtown (about 1-2 miles, 10 minutes) to my work. Once there, I can park and walk. Downtown I have access to many restaurants, post office, library, and other amenities. I live a 1920s subruban life, not the perfect planner ideal of no drive, all mass transit/walk.. but better than most everyone else in my department.

 

[Seabishop]

My neighborhood is a semi-dense 1920s era end-of-the-streetcar line area...

Me too. But my job is about 20 miles away and the bus would take about 2 hours. I've applied to jobs up to an hour drive away. We've all got our own responsibilities and can't be driven nuts by what planners are "supposed" to do. Until the school systems even out even the most militant urban planners will have some serious decisions once the babies are made.

 

[ludes98]

In a word, no. :-\ I don't use public transit. I could walk the 10 miles faster than I could get here on the bus, but 100 degree heat makes that unrealistic. Not owning a car is not practical in Phoenix. You can't get to the grocery store without one, let alone entertainment, relatives, etc. I do conserve energy and water, it is the desert after all. I would love to reduce my grid dependence, but the cost is pretty steep for solar electricity.

 

[mendelman]

simply: Yes

except for having to drive to work (no other reasonable option)

 

[biscuit]

For the most part, yes I am living the dream. I presently walk the <2 miles between my home and the office. It's most of the little exersize I get and it helps wake me up before starting the work day. Honostly, the only time I drive at all is when I go out of town or need to go to the grocery store - I don't like the one in my neighborhood. I'm moving to a new place accross town that's a good bit further out so I'll no longer be able to walk, and I'll miss that, but it's still less than a 20 minute bus ride into the central business district. Not bad, and that US$72.00 monthly bus pass is much cheaper than parking every day. The new apartment is next to a large park, the zoo and is within a few short blocks of a couple of resturaunts, a coffee shop and a corner store. How quaint. ;-)
The only really non plannerific thing is that we still have two cars. I know that we each don't need one and it's a waste of resources and money, but I'm not sure if either one of us (especially the SO) is yet psychologically ready to go carless.

 

[SGB]

Reflections of a hypocrite

Do we live the lifestyle we preach?

I know I don't.

Does your life style fit your beliefs?

Nope. I'd rather live and work in either a new or old urbanist paradise, but that ain't happening any time soon.

Why don’t we all live in downtown Madison WI?

I think Madison has a local code prohibiting more than one professional planner per block.

I guess that I am more so asking who here is living the planners dream, and if we are believing a fairy tale?

I don't think we are believing a fairy tale. It's just more of a (either temporarily or permanently) unachievable goal for some of us. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to "live the dream" in two of my 15 years in this warped profession.

In the meantime we will have to be happy with the urban and cultural environments we encourage others to live in. :-\

 

[Downtown]

Yes and No - I live in a 60s era subdivision that has the lowest taxes in the capital district, some of the best schools, is around the corner from my child's grandparents and other extended family, within walking distance of his future elementary and middle schools, as well as a major park. However, we do have to drive to school and to any shopping facilities.

 

[Repo Man]

I guess I have never been too preachy of a planner. I would never chastise someone who wanted to live in a large lot in a suburban subdivision. I think that people have a right to live where they want. However I prefer to live in a traditional neighborhood and have never in my entire life lived in anything but that. I went to an urban university because I wanted to go to college in a City. I now live in an inner-ring suburb of Milwaukee in a traditional neighborhood. I chose to live in areas like this because I like being able to walk to places like parks, restaurants, shopping, and bars, not out of some professional obligation.

Also, I will admit that I like driving and I like cars. I drive to work every day and you couldn’t pay me to take the bus. There is no way that I am getting up 2 hours early just to be a “good planner” Riding the bus sucks and if you asked bus riders most of them would agree. If there was light rail to work I may consider it but Milwaukee will never have the density necessary to facilitate much beyond commuter rail between downtown and the ‘burbs.

 

[Wulf9]

I have biked to work for 10 years (2 jobs). Thereby meeting one critereon.

We have lived near enough to downtown to walk to services for 20 years.

 

[pete-rock]

I'd say I mostly live a lifestyle that's in accordance with smart growth, new urbanism, blah blah blah... But I also know I live in a city where it's easy to do that.

I live in a moderately dense single-family home area (all lots here are 30X125), and I like it.
I take public transportation when possible.
There's good neighborhood shopping where I live, but I do occasionally go to a Wal-Mart or Target.
I love driving on the open road, but hate city driving and avoid it when I can.

I left a job with a private firm because I couldn't reconcile the exurban subdivision land planning work of the firm with my own personal principles for smarter growth.

How's that?

 

[BKM]

Riding the bus sucks and if you asked bus riders most of them would agree. If there was light rail to work I may consider it but Milwaukee will never have the density necessary to facilitate much beyond commuter rail between downtown and the &#8216;burbs.

This attitude (which is one I agree with) is why I think trains are the only real way to get people with a choice onto public transit. Busses do suck.

The one exception: If I worked in the inner Bay Area, there is no way in hell I would drive to work every day. My brother-in-law walks to a bus stop and takes the train. Some cities are just impractical for the suburban park-and-drive lifestyle./ otherwise....

 

[Downtown]

As an exchange student to a suburb of Madrid, I took the bus every day, and it was clean, affordable and efficient. Why can't this be done in the US?

 

[Lee Nellis]

Our house in Colorado is pretty dreamy: enough land for garden and orchard, but walk to pizza. movies, post office, grocery store, hardware, etc, as well as to a park, local events, etc., BUT here I am in Vermont because the only way to make a living there was to drive 90 miles to the airport and fly two or three times a month (or alternatively make a 6+ hour road trip).

Like so many others it would be hard to afford to live in the town I work in (not out of the question though, with some patience), but at least our living quarters are in walking distance of a few amenities.

Very few people can live the planners' dream (if that is what it is), and I tend to be practical about the reality. Reduce the impacts: my VW gets 50 and can burn biodiesel, the house in Colorado has partial solar hear and solar hot water. If enough people chip away at it, it will make a difference WITHOUT having to make us all subscribe to one dream.

 

[boilerplater]

The grand illusion

You know, I used to follow the ideal of living close to work and limiting automobile use, but I became a little disillusioned with the New Urbanist ideal when I heard, from people that have worked with him, that Andres Duany has a collection Porsche Boxsters and likes to go to strip clubs after charrettes. With all his moral pontificating about the evils of the automobile, I guess I expected him to have an old Chevy Nova like Ralph Nader, not some self-aggrandizing, superficial, penis-extension of a car like a Porsche. But I guess such cars are the accessory of choice for big egos.

I live in an old city that has experienced its share of decay, industrial decline, and white flight. Living here does make me feel like I'm "fighting the good fight" and doing my part to combat suburban sprawl. I think I would experience serious cognitive dissonance living in suburbia, even though I work there. Not as much choice in where to work! :-c

 

[Dan]

Here's what Metropolis Magazine had to say:

Inside the discussion area, Cyburbia Forums, learn why planners don't get to live in the communities they admire--because their paltry salaries don't allow them to afford these increasingly popular, and therefore pricey, real-estate markets.

 

[Downtown]

Here's what Metropolis Magazine had to say:

Woo Hoo! Cyburbia is on the map!!!

 

[SlaveToTheGrind]

Probably not, let' see:

1. I live in suburbia in a new house with 5,000 square feet of grass in a semi-arid state that probably cost $100 to water in peak summer;

2. Said house can be referred to as a snout house;

3. I love large lot development;

4. Can't walk to anything but a park/school;

5. Drive 18 miles to work, each way;

6. Use to have an SUV, will soon have a truck which will be used as it is intended;

7. Am a concealed weapons carry holder and a republican;

8. I think 99% of new urbanism projects are a joke and resemble Disneyfication more than anything;

9. I don't live in the town I work for. I could, but don't want to;

10. I shop at walmart, even though I do hate the place;

Guess this may be the difference between eastern planners and western planners.

 

[Plannerbabs]

Sort of. I live in suburbia, in the municipality I work for--but we regularly risk our lives walking on the shoulder to the local deli and theatre. We have two cars, but they're both very fuel-efficient. We recycle obsessively, eat organic as much as possible, don't shop at Wally...but we do drive most places and generally only take public transport when we travel, because it's difficult where we live. We also don't use fertilizer or chemicals on our lawn (and rarely mow it B-) ) or when cleaning the house. We vote to the left, and have about four pairs of Birkenstocks between us....so as much as possible in our current environment, I guess we are. But it always seems like we should be doing more. If it weren't so hot, I'd bike to work.

 

[vaughan]

I would say that I live MY planner dream... but that's in large part because i currently live in a town small enough to do that (and am about to move to a town that makes life equally easy). Living in towns of 30,000 make the bike lifestyle simple. I drive my truck maybe once a month, and that's to get out of town to ski or hike or run.

One thing that is about to change with my move is that I am going to FINALLY be able to eat local foods. For four years, i've lived in a place where it was impossible to truly farm (7,200 feet in elevation and cold), so this move to a place where farmers actually live and breathe immediately around my town makes me very happy. Living my dream will become slightly easier.

 

[plannerkat]

Pretty much. I live less than 5 miles from my job in one of our historic districts. I drive a fuel efficient car to and fro the office each day, but would take the bus if not for the goofy planner schedule (field work & evening meetings), though I occasionally carpool with coworkers who live in the same 'hood. Our house is a bungalow on a smallish lot (6000 sq. ft.) and I am getting progressively closer to my dream of a lawn so small that it can be cut with a weedwhacker (we need to keep just enough for the dog to pee on). My landscaping motto is that if it can't survive without irrigation then it doesn't need to be in my yard, thus keeping our household water bill below $25/month. We frequently walk to neighborhood bars and restaurants and generally need to venture outside of our neighborhood for trips to Home Depot. I grew up in the 'burbs and can't imagine ever living there again.

 

[Michele Zone]

You know, I used to follow the ideal of living close to work and limiting automobile use, but I became a little disillusioned with the New Urbanist ideal when I heard, from people that have worked with him, that Andres Duany

A friend of mine who met Duany had some unflattering things to say about him. She is a community activist who lives in an unincorporated area where every imaginable NIMBY project has been dumped for years. If I recall her story correctly, she and Duany stood on the top of the hill (or cliff?) and he spoke of his plans for a Super Clean New Urbanist neighborhood and she asked questions like "And where will they gas up their car??" and, basically, he seemed to have no clue what she was talking about and was irritated with her 'stupid' little questions (she is a "ditz" artist who has spent up to 40 hours per week for the last 10 years doing completely unpaid work for the benefit of her community -- I guess "she couldn't possibly know anything" |-) ).

Her conclusion: he wanted the middle class neighborhood to continue to gas up in her neighborhood and continue to victimize her community, much as has been done for so many years now. I think a lot of new urbanist development fits her brilliant description that a lot of planners seem "put in a mouth, because eating is pleasant, but don't put in a butt because going to the bathroom is dirty". (Lack of adequate garbage collection is one of the many issues in her community. I guess "nice" neighborhoods are the only ones allowed to have the garbage taken away. Poor people are supposed to virtuously consume less -- the equivalent of "don't eat anything because we have no bathroom facilities and there is a fine and possible jail time for pooping on the lawn".)

This 'know nothing little ditz of an artist" also spoke of the ridiculous landscaping plans Duany et al. had for this desert community. Water is a big crisis for the area and they weren't exactly going to xeriscape the place. I have the impression that there were no native plants involved in this Vision.

 

[SkeLeton]

Well... can't say I live in a suburb here... I live in an apartment nearby the subway, even though it's a 30 min trip back and forth to Campus... I don't live in the CBD, but near a very important BD... oh... and my campus is not very central either, rather the inner ring of the city. Hence the long sardine can (subway) trip

 

[michaelskis]

I was thinking some more about it... (I have got to stop that) and I realized that parts of my community could fit into the planners dream. I live about 2 miles from work, and I have a bar / nice restaurant, grocery store, several small shops, a sandwich place, and a pizza place all within walking distance. (no more than 1/2 a mile). It is not the easiest place to get to because of 4 lanes of 45 mph + traffic to cross and side walks on one side of the street.

I guess I should ask what is your idea of the Planner's Dream?

 

[Zoning Goddess]

My landscaping motto is that if it can't survive without irrigation then it doesn't need to be in my yard, thus keeping our household water bill below $25/month.

Hah! Mine is down to under $10 a month! ;-)

BTW, there are new development here running water bills of $300 to $500 a month per home and have perfect lawns, and the residents are complaining to the County, like it's our fault they can't save water. Get a clue!

8. I think 99% of new urbanism projects are a joke and resemble Disneyfication more than anything;

There is a large New Urbanism project called Baldwin Park going in at the north end of Orlando. They have had a rash of daytime burglaries. The thieves are parking in the alleys and entering the homes from the rear. Nobody has seen anything, apparently because a) the thieves drives trucks that look like service or delivery trucks, and b) everyone who lives there is working because who could afford to live there without 2 working adults?

Not Utopia.

 

[valhallan]

I guess I have never been too preachy of a planner. I would never chastise someone who wanted to live in a large lot in a suburban subdivision. I think that people have a right to live where they want.

:-o taking notes jb?

I'm no planner but still dream of a walk-everywhere lifestyle. My home is within walking distance restaurants, entertainment, and offices, but the jobs are hard to come by. Maybe we should control the housing market by requiring people to live near where they work. Impractical, but imagine the possibilities..

 

[Suburb Repairman]

Well, I'm crashing with my parents until the wedding (stacking up money for down payment). They live out on the exurban fringe of San Antonio at a lake, though I'm not sure I would criticize our choice. We were willing to sacrifice convenience for the ability to go waterskiing every night. :-D

I cannot afford the City I work in, nor do I want to live there, so the best I hope to do is eliminate all of my non-work trips. I am planning to buy into an older 1920s era neighborhood in a nearby city where everything I want is within walking distance; corner store, laundry, restaurants, bowling alley, movie theater, etc. The city I work in is almost entirely large estate lots. I want a smaller lot mainly so I can feel like I'm in a real neighborhood and am too lazy to do yard work in the Texas heat and humidity. Just get me within walking distance to a park and I'll be happy.

I think my name really says it all here. I'm still an idealist and believe that I can take sprawling suburbs and turn them into better "places" that are more sustainable economically and environmentally. Basically, I acknowledge that sprawl has happened and seek ways to reduce its impact and prevent further sprawl. I'm sure all of you are thinking "Yeah, we'll just see what he says in 20 years"... :-\ ;-)

Yes, I shop at Walmart, but I come out of there everytime a little pissed-off at myself for feeding the beast.

 

[donk]

Walking the walk you talk

1) Bought a house built 1880, in the community I worked for, close enough to work to walk/ride bike (If I did not need my car), If/when it sells I'll take a loss of several thousand dollars (cost + work). But I walked the walk.

2) Live in an apartment in a Victorian house now, can walk to work , don't most days - lazy not in the mood.

3) Volunteer to help build trails and aid the PSO for cycling.

4) Try to shop locally and buy things made in canada or non sweatshop places.

5) Except for my trip to wally world with JNL, I have not set foot or purchased anything from walmart in almost 6 years.

6) Live in the heart of beef country, shop at the local butcher vs grocery store when I buy meat in the hope that the person who grew the beef got a fair price. BSE be damned.

I know I have options and am smart enough to excercise them, not sure why others don't.

 

[JNA]

Partial -
Live 2.5 miles from work.
1.5 miles from one road where there is a Post Office, Credit Union, Gas Station, prefered Grocery Store, Drug Store, Library Branch, and Doctor's Office.

Big boxes are across town.

 

[spatialmongrel]

I'm livin' the dream, baby.

[SANCTIMONIOUS PREACHING]

Do we live the lifestyle we preach?

Yup. Live downtown, 3 blocks from the office, no car, bike and foot only, bus when necessary, rent a car when needed to go out of town. Shop local, avoid Walmart like the plague, avoid TV, go to the gym 3x per week. Avid fried foods. Except Bison Burgers. MMMM Oh yeah - community service on downtown improvement boards, friends of downtown, Peterson Park committee.

Does your life style fit your beliefs?

Not bad - walk to the local cafe on main street for breakfast, chat with shop owners, smile at pretty girls at lunch on the park bench...

Why don’t we all live in downtown Madison WI?

Eww. Wisconsin? :þ

I guess that I am more so asking who here is living the planners dream, and if we are believing a fairy tale?

I'm poor, so couldn't afford a car if I wanted one. (Hello, student loan repayments for the rest of my natural life). Disregarding the financial nightmare that is having 1/3 of my gross salary sucked away every month, yeah, I guess life is pretty sweet. But then again, I'm still young and idealistic, and hopelessly naive.

[/SANCTIMONIOUS PREACHING]

 

[Hceux]

Do we live the lifestyle we preach?

I guess that I am more so asking who here is living the planners dream, and if we are believing a fairy tale?

Well, I'm not a planner. I'm still a student. Nope, not even in planning. (Unless you count lesson planning! )

Do I practice or do what planners preach or believe in? A bit. When it comes to transportation, I do not have a car. So, I walk or else take the city bus. Because of that, I've decided to locate myself between the downtown core and the university. Yet, this area is traditionally reputed as an expensive area to live or to rent. It is. But, I got lucky. We found a cheap ol' apartment. The apartment isn't even like a mile being close to a penthouse or anything. It's all part of student living.

I guess whatever one preaches begs for compromises. So I think any kind of lifestyle is a compromise of many different things. Because we can compromise, we can live in a fairy-tale-like dream.

Try not to stress yourself too much. Chill out. Relax. Drink warm milk. Read easy-going literature before you go to bed. Sleep in a dark room. Play some good but calmy music. (Try Coldplay. Its piano playing does it for me! *sigh*). And, try to focus on "Just be. Just do it. Just live." That's a paraphrased quote I got from a book called "Quarterlife Crisis." Sleep well.

 

[tsc]

Well,,,, I can't afford to live in the city I work in.... but otherwise...I live in an area that really respects planning, very pro-environment, pro-community and is very diverse. I do carpool to work...and walk to do errands sometimes at lunch.

I am considering a more fuel efficient car (than a 91 Volvo 740) for commuting...but would really like something as safe. I compost. I don't use fertilizer on my lawn. I would never ever use Round-Up. I support farmer's markets. I volunteer to monitor water quality (semi-coerced by fellow employee ^o) )

I think being a planner is being able to help citizens make informed decisions and I am fortunate to work in such an environment where we actually do that.

 

[Zoning Goddess]

This may not officially count, but I've spent 2 of the last 4 weeks reading by candlelight, eating cold food, not watching t.v. or playing on the internet or using air conditioning (conserving electricity), driving only to work and mostly staying home (conserving gas), and socializing a lot more with the neighbors in the evenings (building community!). And not drinking anything from cans, drinking water doesn't come in cans.

Oh wait, the hurricanes made me do that.

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

I not only live it, but I also rock on the side:b:

Buoy Yaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[valhallan]

I not only live it, but I also rock on the side:b:

Buoy Yaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Cheers Rump! :b:

 

[Cirrus]

Live on 12th floor of 21 story mixed use building 2 blocks from Metro station.
All day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
Do not own a car.
Reverse commute to job further out via Metro and transfer to local bus.

Believe people should live where they want, but should have to pay for it. The government should stop subsidizing the suburban lifestyle to such a ridiculous degree. If people had to bear the full cost of suburbia far more would choose the urban alternative.