Quote:
Originally Posted by FarmerHaight
I like having a separate thread for this discussion, Ricopedra, even if it leans a little hypothetical.
As various users have pointed out, where you live is all a matter of personal choice. Unfortunately, that choice has dire consequences. From the human aspect (increased spending on new roads, sewer lines, fire halls, schools, etc. means taking money away from something else) to the environment (driving vs. walking, food producing farmland is swallowed up by new neighbourhoods) living in a small, energy efficient apartment is objectively a better choice for everyone except, maybe, the individual making that choice. Even if all these variables were considered by a potential suburb home buyer I assume his/her logic would be similar to someone choosing not to vote: "I'm one person, what difference can I really make?". It'll take a complete 180-degree cultural turn in Saskatoon for people to stop dreaming of their lifted truck and house in Stonebridge, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
|
In a book I recently read one chapter was dedicated to happiness. Happiness doesn't care how you get there. Find and do the things that make you happy (and remember money does not buy happiness).
For me, living in a small apartment at this point in my life would not bring me happiness. We love our house and its beautiful yard and garden. We love having some space and hosting family and friends (pre pandemic). We own a truck and camper and love going to the lake in the summer. We find happiness in all of this. We love to bike or walk the Meewasin trails, I'm sure others don't. We love to golf, others don't. We love to take a winter holiday (not this year), others don't. What makes us happy does not necessarily make others happy.
So, we all have our reasons for the personal choices we make. I for one, do not feel a shred of guilt because others don't agree with the choices I have made.
Having said all this, some day when maintaining my house and pulling a camper to the lake no longer brings me happiness I might be ready for that small apartment and 3 months in Arizona. What makes me happy has continuously changed as I have moved through life and will continue to change.
So, check in with me in 25 years. I'll likely be living in that condo and will have sold my truck.