"Slowly Calling the burbs Home" & "Suburbia"

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the location of the pictures took place in Livermore, CA - the town I grew up in during the 80's and 90's. When I looked through the pictures I felt like I was looking at my same neighborhood, but just a decade earlier. I felt at home and the picture that stood out the most for me was the one of the two girls sitting on the sidewalk in front of a business with nothing to do. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this and think of myself with my best friend doing the same thing. We'd both be longing for the day we turned 18 and could move somewhere more exciting. We often questioned why our parents could ever choose to live in such a dull place.

I enjoyed Lahrmer's article because she describes some of the little things that make the suburbs so comforting. I can relate to these comforts now that I have two young daughters of my own and I realize why my parents chose to live in a "dull place." As mature adults and especially as parents there are so many things to do and worry about, so it's nice to counteract that by residing in a location that lacks the hustle and bustle of the city. Life is so complicated and children are constantly keeping their parents on their toes, so why complicate it with further chaos?

Although, Lahrmer describes changes within the community, they aren't so often that it's hard to keep up with. Instead, these are gradual and noticeable changes that feel more personal due to the small community. It is comforting to have the convenience of knowing what to expect, most of the time. Just because the suburbs can be more mellow doesn't make it boring and I think it's what the individual makes of it that can make the lifestyle pleasing.