I live in a suburb of a ’small town city.’ This, in reality, is a city created from a small town and happened when the population reached a particular number of citizens.

This method of ‘planning’ a city has its benefits, not the least being that there are no high rise buildings in my city. Consequently there are also no traffic jams, and public transport is easily accessible and very well used. People walk, ride bicycles, catch the bus or the train, or drive to work The scooter is making a comeback here because neighbourhoods are smaller and distances shorter to travel, plus the cost of petrol is diabolical.

My own particular neighbourhood still retains the look and feel of a suburb, in essence because that is what it still is. Whilst I live on a highway, no my dear ‘foreign’ readers not a freeway or expressway, it is a two lane highway and will be for quite some time still to come. The City Council provide a green waste pick up and a recycling pick up once a month, I can access mulch for my verge, we recycle all household items such as bottles and cans into a special bin, householders are allowed to have chickens in certain areas, and of course there are the usual cats and dogs. For me personally, a neighbourhood is not a neighbourhood without the character and personality of it’s resident pets.

I love my ’small town city,’ I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Tracey
Armadale
Weatern Australia

One of the things I was most proud of when I was a resident of the big city of Philadelphia was that I lived there for 20 years without owning a car. Who needed a car, when I had my feet, my bike, the bus, the subway, the trolleys and a car share service? I felt proud that I was making an impact on the environment. I felt proud that through my personal actions, I was making a contribution, however small, to the greater good. When you live in a city, there are constant reminders that you’re part of something bigger than yourself: You’re a part of a vibrant and diverse community that can be as small as your block or as big as the city itself. When you realize that–and it’s hard not to–you can’t help but want to work to make your community a better place.

As many other city dwellers have noted, cities can provide as much of a “village” feel as many small towns, with their walkable shops and restaurants, farmers markets, cafes … plus, they have the diversity that most villages lack. Sure, cities have their problems, but to imply that the values of cities are somehow “less than” those of small towns is divisive and simply untrue. Where would our country be without its cities?

Now I live in Oakland, another wonderful city that is generally overlooked due to its proximity to lovely San Francisco. I think living in Philadelphia all those years gave me a deeper appreciation for “underdog cities” like Oakland. Philadelphia also had its more glamorous neighbor city, New York. Living in Oakland, I enjoy the city life and the sunshine. I enjoy the year-round farmer’s markets all throughout Oakland. I enjoy walking to the video store, cafe and movie theater, as well as the 10-minute drive to the beach or a redwood grove in the city’s hills. Although I now need a car to easily access the wonders of the Bay Area beyond my walkable Oakland neighborhood, I still take pride in doing my small part to do my part for the greater good. And my heart is warmed by all of the wonderful people of Oakland who do their part as well, whether it’s through recycling, composting, volunteering, driving less or simply smiling and saying hello when they walk down the street. That’s my favorite big-city value.

Blair D
Oakland, CA

Today I rode my bike to work. This past weekend I rode my bike to the grocery store to buy some food for the house. I love riding my bike in the city.

I love the big city value of supporting car-free modes of transportation. People walk, bike, take public transportation and use services like Philly Car Share. We have bike clubs, running clubs, and official and unofficial rides and races of all kinds. Not only is it healthier to walk or ride a bike, but it saves money and the environment.

Tracy
BCV Headquarters

To start, my big-city values include multiculturalism, public transportation, block parties, community gardens, neighborhoods, and so much more.

I love taking my daughter on public transportation, knowing that there will be all different types of people all doing the same thing – going somewhere.

I love that we know every person on our block. That we throw spontaneous block parties with ping pong in the street and Rock Band projected on the wall of a neighbors house.

I love that yesterday we rode our bikes to visit the Philadelphia Magic Garden and the Green Festival, all in our community. I love that these things are important to Philadelphia and people have organized to make them exist.

Mia L
Philadelphia, PA