A stark contrast between cities and suburbs is the mixing or not mixing of residential and commercial. Where I grew up in suburban San Jose, the closest retail to my house is well over a mile. Versus where I now live, the closest street corner has a bar on the northwest corner, a restaurant and bar on the northeast corner, and a coffee shop on the southeast corner.
And, as of earlier this week, you can buy something on the fourth, southwest corner, albeit not through a traditional store but rather a food truck. Gibb's Ribbs, to be exact. Earlier this week, as I was walking home at an unusually late hour coming home from a friend's house, Gibb's was still doing brisk business. I pity suburban friends who have to go further than right outside their front door to get their rib on.
3 comments:
Well, Lee, I think Angela and I found the best of all possible locations, when we moved to the Wynnewood (Lower Merion Township) side of Haverford and City Avenues in 2003. Listen to this:
- 7-11 is behind us; I can be in 7-11 getting Angela a coffee or withdrawing money from an ATM, about 45 seconds after leaving my back door. Oh-- and this is a gas station 7-11 too. (Not that you would have any reason to buy gas.)
- The following are reachable on foot, within 3 minutes or so: McDonald's, Popeye's, Wendy's, a deli, kosher grocery, kosher pizza and Israeli food, Moroccan restaurant, 2 Chinese food places, 2 (non-kosher) pizza places, a bar ($8 for a six of Yuengling), CVS, Rite Aid, Rita's, Wine & Spirits, 2 or 3 banks, TJ Maxx and Ross, Sears Hardware, Applebee's, Baskin Robbins, Dollar Tree, 2 dry cleaners, optometrist, dentist, bowling alley, pet store, car wash, Payless Shoes. I probably forgot a few places.
- If you walk a little further down Haverford (on the city side) you'll find barbecue and Jamaican food.
- Near the 7-11 is the 105 bus stop, and across City Avenue is the 106 stop. Both buses get to 69th St. Terminal in about 7 minutes.
- Our township library, our church (Penn Wynne Pres), and another pizza place are about a 7 minute walk.
- Across Haverford from us is a large Jewish community center, with pool and fitness center membership open to the public.
- Oh, and we're in the Lower Merion School District, with relatively low property taxes, thanks to our "slummy" (by Lower Merion standards) location.
I give Angela all the credit for getting us into this ingenious situation.
I must. have. Gibbs'.
Joel, that does sound like a great set-up. Kudos to that whip-smart wife of yours.
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