Anyone have issues about their home town?

Taualumna · #1 10-31-2004, 03:58 PM

I do have issues about living in Toronto. Yes, it's diverse, and yes, diversity can be good, but sometimes, I feel like I can't function my way, and do things I'd like to do. I feel that a diverse city such as Toronto isn't as "old fashioned" or "formal" as it can be. Our mayor is left wing, for example. People here can also be kind of weird. I have my own group that I sometimes hang out with who are kind of on the old fashioned side, and while they're a good group, I'd also like to expand a bit. Any ideas of what to do? Should I move away?

Munchkin03 · #2 10-31-2004, 05:03 PM

I effing hate my hometown, for what it's worth. The only good things I can see about it are the lowish cost of living despite relatively high incomes, the beach, and the excellent public schools. Otherwise, it's polluted, provincial, anti-intellectual, and you can't imagine the hell I got for being non-white AND non-Christian.

I got the hell out when I turned 18. I'm much happier for it, too. If my parents and grandparents didn't live there, I'd never go back.

Is Toronto where you grew up AND went to school? If so, I can understand why you might feel stifled. Maybe trying a new city might be a good change for you--and if you don't like it, you can always move back.

Taualumna · #3 10-31-2004, 06:25 PM

Other than one year in Bermuda and four years in Kingston, Ontario, yes, I've been here all my life. I grew up in the suburbs, where things were a little more "old fashioned", but things aren't so down where I am now. It's a great area, I'm near a shopping district, near the subway line, and near several good movie theatres that don't necessarily play the latest blockbusters, but it just feels, well.....liberal.

#4 10-31-2004, 06:39 PM

I love Honolulu and everything it stands for. They say we have a high cost of living, but it's not so bad because I get to live in paradise.

If I were to move away it'd be for personal growth and not because of this place.

PhoenixAzul · #5 10-31-2004, 07:52 PM

I love Pittsburgh. I love everything about it. It's where my family settled first after immigration. The town is a huge part of who I am. I've got a very deep investment in the town and in the people, and I wouldn't trade living in the inner city for the WORLD.

I have an issue with the view of Pittsburghers as these uneducated masses who just work in steel factories.

Dionysus · #6 10-31-2004, 08:11 PM

People in my literal hometown are OKAY....but people from the St. Louis area in general are about as friendly as a water moccasin. People here are so superficial, racist, closed-minded, cliquey, and boring. Thanks to my out of town friends and associates, I now realize that not everyone in the country is like this. I used to think everyone behaves like St. Louisans. They always say how much better California, NY, etc. is.

I WANT OUT!

I will switch towns with you taualumna.

valkyrie · #7 10-31-2004, 08:22 PM

I think everybody should move away from his or her hometown, at least for a few years, after college.

Glitter650 · #8 10-31-2004, 09:03 PM

Technically Palo Alto is my hometown where lived, but I went to grammar/high school in Menlo Park because of the way they drew the disrict lines. I actually really love the whole Menlo Park/Palo Alto/Atherton area. I think it's beautiful, lots of trees, nice homes, good weather, great schools, even though it's suburban there's still a good amount of stuff to do, and the people are generally very nice.
Some things I don't like, that everyone is very cookie cutter. People there seem to be trying sooo hard to live that "perfect" little suburban life and it's so obviously fake sometimes. It seems like everyone has an SUV, and a golden retreiver and if you deviate from that "status quo" you aren't included. There's obviously nothing wrong with golden retreivers or SUVs but I guess my problem is it's not very diverse. My high school was diverse because it drew from a larger area, but my middle school (where everyone had an eddie baur backpack) had only I think maybe 20 minorities in a school of just over 300 children. Palo Alto is great I'd just say it's rather sheltered and if you grow up there you definitely should travel and know that life isn't always perfect, and that's ok.
I also don't like that it's sooo expensive.... but as OTW said you pay for "paradise." While mine isn't as literal a paradise as hers, I don't think there's much to complain about.

Queencece · #9 10-31-2004, 09:06 PM

I have only one issue with my hometown. Not that I don't love it here because I do, but my issue is....

I'm still here. I need to get away. A vacation might help, but its been six months since I have had one and its long overdue. HELP!!!

Other than that, I love it here! Here being VA, in the DC Metro Area. 15 minute from DC and the Pentagon.

Q

norcalchick · #10 10-31-2004, 09:15 PM

My hometown is a suburb of the Bay Area. It sucks. It's ghetto. I hate going back because there's nothing to do except visit my family and a few friends. I haven't been back for a few months.

kappaloo · #11 10-31-2004, 10:47 PM

I think almost everyone has some issue with their hometown.

It's full of conservatives - to the point where a mayor who was seen at a function condemming the Jewish and Muslim faiths and who was fined by the Ontario Human rights commision for gay discrimination was reelected even though she did not campaign for the position.

Everyone thinks that the entire city is just made up of the north west and south west corner of the city. The city spruced up the pool in the north west of the city and then refused to fund a indoor pool in the south east - even thought there wasn't a single indoor pool.

The bus system sucks.
Our orchestra is half rate.
The downtown is dead.
And the crooks in city hall very often end up to be real crooks.

But I still miss it at times! It has great bars, a good university, and my entire family is there.

RACooper · #12 10-31-2004, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kappaloo

The bus system sucks.
Our orchestra is half rate.
The downtown is dead.
And the crooks in city hall very often end up to be real crooks.

Don't forget the fact that a train will cut the town in half until it's passed through town....

ADqtPiMel · #13 10-31-2004, 11:20 PM

I detest my hometown. Dayton itself isn't horrible, but the suburb that my parents live in is small in size (with nothing to do) and small-minded in its citizens. Family aside, I'd be happy to never step foot there again.

Peaches-n-Cream · #14 10-31-2004, 11:32 PM

I love New York City. I am very happy here. There are hundreds of things to do and millions of people to meet.

The only downside is that everything is expensive.

gphiangel624 · #15 11-01-2004, 02:25 AM

I don't "hate" my hometown, but I definitely don't like living there. I mean, you can't complain too much about a small city in a hot, almost desert-like valley that's only 1-2 hours from the beach, big cities, Mexico, the desert, and the mountains... we have everything nearby. My biggest issue with Moreno Valley/Riverside California is that you need to get away from it to appreciate the few good things about it. I only live 45 miles away and I've started to appreciate that you can find a decent home in a decent area for a near-decent price (yes, even MoVal and Riverside are overpriced... it's California).

If I end up moving back to the MoVal/Riverside area, I definitely won't be living in Moreno Valley itself... 22 years in that city has been enough for me, thank you very much.