What Constitutes “A Neighborhood”?

I was actually exposed to neighborhood-living in China. I lived in the Wangdingdi neighborhood in a city of 10 million. We didn't have a car so I grew very accustomed to doing everything locally. I usually walked or biked everywhere: for groceries, restaurants, entertainment, work. We took public transportation or taxis when we wanted to go somewhere outside of our area (entertainment for the weekends, usually). But in terms of everyday living, if it couldn't be found in the neighborhood, we just went without.

I really like the intimacy that comes with this kind of life. It's small-town and it's personal. I had my vegetable guy for my daily veggies. We would chat as I picked up enough potatoes and carrots for dinner that day. I got my bike fixed at the stand on the corner. There were 3 different supermarkets within blocks of my house. Most of my friends were within walking distance. There was a butcher down the street. And at night, the street would be filled with my neighbors as they relaxed and drank at sidewalk food stands. I liked that everyone knew each other and were connected to each other through daily existence. You really have a sense of belonging and camaraderie, even when you drive each other crazy.

Chicago was (and often still is) largely based on neighborhood living. I think people way out in the suburbs are missing out, honestly. Berwyn was once designed for neighborhood living. My family moved to Berwyn when I was going into high school and I remember all of the little market stores (built in the 1920's just like the rest of the area I presume) every few blocks. Most of these are closed down now. But the schools are still set up on the neighborhood system. Most elementary students live within a few blocks of their school and it's fun to see them all filing down the street every day.

What is strange to me is that there are so many great places in the area and yet people will drive so far out of their environs to meet their daily needs. My mother lives this way. She drives a mile for her dry-cleaning even though there's a great Korean place just 5 blocks away (same cost). She drives 20 minutes to a bigger Jewel even though there's one literally at the end of her street. She says the close one is too small but honestly, does one really need more options on cereal brands and cleaning products?

I walk to the small Jewel and pick up enough items for a few days and walk them back in 30 minutes. I've gotten exercise so I don't need to hit the gym and I'm back in half the time it would take to go to the big one. In addition, I've greeted the elderly lady on the first block, looked at squirrels trying to stay warm in the trees (Don't they hibernate? Why the heck are they running around in January?), and gazed at potential houses on the other ones. Her trips are painful; mine are a delight.

So what constitutes "a neighborhood"? Well, I'm hoping that this type of life will catch on here, expanding the already existing selection of neighborhood businesses, as it has in Oak Park and LaGrange. I'm amazed at what has happened to those sleepy townships over the past 20 years (especially while I've been away). Berwyn isn't there yet, so some things do require a little more time and effort to get to currently. But not much more! For my Berwyn life, my neighborhood is defined as any place to which I can easily bike or walk, like I did in China. In general, this means a 10-30 minute walk or bike from my house (or short bus ride in winter). Your average suburbanite usually drives that far for basic necessities, so I think it's fair.