Another Piece of Americana is Fading Away
The following link is a Cracked article (you thought I was going to do something different?) called “4 Iconic Parts of Suburbs That Are Going Away Forever.”
Relatively short version: It used to be that the young & affluent were fleeing the crime & poverty stricken cities for idyllic suburbs. But wage-stagnation and the erosion of the middle-class has rendered many suburbanites poor. The suburbs lack the infrastructure to deal with so many poor people, and of course being poor means less tax revenue which hurts the already inadequate infrastructure. And since the police are a part of said wanting infrastructure, the suburbs have become easy targets from criminals.
Meanwhile, young people with means are moving back into the cities where crime rates have dropped. Sucks for those stuck in the ‘burbs. But one silver lining is that urban sprawl isn’t likely to be a big environmental issue anymore. So there’s at least that. But still, did I mention it sucks for those stuck in ‘burbs?
This has been another one of life’s bitter ironies.