Chicks in the City – down on the farm comes to town
by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC
Want your city and eat eggs too? I was strolling around the pond in my co-housing community with the dogs last night and chatted with a visitor. “It feels like the country out here,” he said, “I’ve been looking for a place like this – peaceful but close to town.” Yep, it is quiet here all right. And without streets or overhead lighting in our efficiently designed 16-acre space – home to 33 families – you can see the stars at night. Yet, our “out here” is a mere 2.5 miles from downtown – a short bike ride or long walk. Best of both worlds? You bet. 
Many cities are catching that small town vibe by integrating both urban culture and walkable convenience with local and community-oriented businesses and a country-like atmosphere. Chickens live contentedly in small yards and homemade coops like these in my neighborhood, and there is a community garden nearby. The Farmer’s Market is held at the “Town Commons” and our community food co-op hosts weekly social and events.
The trick to make this all work is for all of us to relearn how to enjoy small spaces, both indoors and out. We’ve all but forgotten that “the best things come in small packages”. Most of the front yards in older, urban neighbors are tiny but extra-treasured. Wind chimes and other creative art hangs on porches, bicycles lean against the steps, tomatoes and other edibles line the sunny side of the house and wildflowers and wild grasses replace the traditional lawn. I often enjoy walking in these neighborhoods in all their wabi-sabi-ness. I find my thoughts wandering pleasantly and creatively – and I always feel a reassuring sense of connectedness.
This, sadly, is a huge contrast to the what I’ve noticed in the “better” neighborhoods, where houses of mega sizes are springing up on huge lots. Contractors go to great lengths to make these areas appear luxurious, but the end result usually feels sterile and separated. The spacious wrap-around porches are rarely occupied, the vast and manicured yards look strangely unnatural. Most now have 3-car garages and the accommodating driveways are scrubbed spotless. Quiet? Yes, it most often feels vacant except for the SUVs driving down the streets. A community? Hardly.
Instead of trying to “keep up with the Jones”, listen to your inner voice. What really feels like home? It’s up to us to change the McMansion trend – the contractors will keep building them as long as we’re buying.
Catch the vibe. Live Bigger by living smaller. You can have the best of both worlds. And there may be some eggs in it for you, too.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
i couldn’t agree more with your blog today…i too, have noticed the large “empty big houes” where are the children playing? where is the sound of people laughing, talking, calling their children in? where are the smells of baked goods? i see large yards with playground equipment, and no children. empty houses. do these people crave privacy so much? i too crave the friendliness of our small neighborhood. i live in a small condo. and when the neighbors are walking the dogs, i pop out for a conversation. i knocked on a neighbor yesterday, couldn’t open the wine. i live in a nieghborhood, that has neighbors and the good noise of laughing and conversation. i am with you tracey, what happend to the word “cozy” “neighborly” “stoop sitting” “walking” ect. thank you for your important thoughts.