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American Dream an American Nightmare?
In their continuing coverage of the housing collapse in the U.S., CNN's recent reporting examines the changing ideas about living in the city versus the suburbs. Does it alter the “American Dream,” that sometimes elusive desire to own property, a house and have kids apart from the city and its problems?
Shaun Yandell and his wife live in suburban California in a neighborhood that is experiencing a wave of foreclosures. Even though he has not been hit financially, the area has declined because of abandoned houses, vacant shopping malls and the subsequent crime and influx of gangs. Yandell himself even heard some teenagers in his backyard discussing a recent robbery they were part of.
What happened to the suburban American dream? Disregarding the housing crisis for a minute, cities are becoming “cool” again, with redevelopments, efficient public transportation and access to a lot of amenities that suburbs lack. Young people are getting married later, or not at all; the house with 2.2 kids is no longer a priority for many. Oddly enough, the “McMansion” is predicted to be the future multi-family home for the poor, as they are pushed out of cities by gentrification. Have you noticed similar changes in your own town? Does this news change your suburban dream at all? [CNN]
Posted: 6/20/08
Sorry about that hit the button by accident. Here is the finish of my comment.
It is not just in the suburbs that the American Dreams are no longer what they were when people started out planning their lives and those dreams.
Today more people have to face a reality, sometimes a very harsh one, that they will never see their dreams come true.
Sad but very true and most people choose not to face it until it is to late.
I have read this article and I am just wondering the following. If people can not afford housing because of the cost of the house and other things in their lives, how is it that every where you look or go there is new housing going up? Where I live if there is a piece of land that is not protected by the state it is a guarantee that housing will go there destroying woods, animals shelter and most importantly taking from the farmers. It is not just in the suburbs that the American Dreams
I have read this article and I am just wondering the following. If people can not afford housing because of the cost of the house and other things in their lives, how is it that every where you look or go there is new housing going up? Where I live if there is a piece of land that is not protected by the state it is a guarantee that housing will go there destroying woods, animals shelter and most importantly taking from the farmers. It is not just in the suburbs that the American Dreams