I call it the European Lifestyle. It is the way many people in Europe live. First they live in apartments. Yes, they are small. Much smaller than typical housing in America. But, how much space do you really need? Second, they’re built in very strong buildings. You don’t hear people walking around in their space that can be above you or beside you. The buildings are made out of concrete, not wood. They last a long, long time. The only time you hear your neighbors is when Jose and Maria are having a spat in the hall. Then again, you probably do not want to be in the apartments that overlook a busy street.

Down below are businesses. You walk downstairs and go to the local corner market to get a baguette or a pack of soft drinks. On the ground floor are shops of all kinds. They are small. They are mom & pop shops, each one selling a line of products like locks, plumbing supplies, haircuts, beauty supplies, shoes, clothes, etc. It’s a neighborhood thing. People walk a lot. There aren’t a lot of parking spots in this neighborhood. You don’t need a car because you can walk or take the subway or bus anywhere you need to go in the city. Somewhere in the neighborhood there’s a bigger supermarket where you go to stock up on cheap food. If you’re lucky there’s a local fresh food market eveyy so often, maybe every day.

Most of these people have been living in their neighborhoods most of their lives. It supports community more than the lifestyle we lead in America. I like this lifestyle, but I’m not willing to give up my own lifestyle to become a part of it. I don’t think people aspire to this lifestyle. I think they aspire to a 4 bedroom. 2.5 bath, 2 car garage, fenced yard kind of lifestyle which is what we have were I live. In a way I think that’s kind of sad. In a way I don’t.