The 15 minute town

[SiouzQ.]

It doesn't make sense to drive the 30 minutes into Santa Fe for a low-paying retail job with the cost of gas these days. At least it is starting to pick up a little around here, and I'll be able to make more on commission. I'm adding a third day at the gallery starting in May. It's still really hard to sit on my butt on the hard wooden chair for 7 hours a day there, but it is what it is. I have committed to doing it. I'll work on bringing stuff to do during the down-times. At least it is getting nice outside and I can sit in the yard and listen to the beautiful fountains I sell and watch the birds and work on just *being present*, I guess.

[early morning]

I have thought a lot about where I would live if I had to move to town. I would like somewhere with either great transportation infrastructure and plenty of cultural places and activities, or a small town/village that actually had needed services in walking distance - your 15 minute town. It's fun to dream, but I only see this happening if I would have to give up driving - g-d forbid!!- and could still walk and talk, lol. Overall, I'm pretty dedicated to being a country old lady. And as finances are a major issue, the above options will probably not materialize.

[Tradd]

When I lived in Chicago, a lot of stuff was pretty close together. You might have to go a greater distance for things like medical appts, but it was very nice having stuff close. However, with my knee/sciatica issues, that’s not even something I think about these days. I’m not walking anywhere. My shopping is very close (within a 5 min drive). I make a habit of medical providers being close to either home or work, if possible.

[Teacher Terry]

Where I live I can drive to everything I need in 15 minutes and walk to a few stores. I use anywhere between a half to a full tank of gas monthly.

[Teacher Terry]

Tradd, are you thinking about getting a knee replacement? A friend of mine got one at 38 and it was still working fine when he died at 71.

[Tradd]

Tradd, are you thinking about getting a knee replacement? A friend of mine got one at 38 and it was still working fine when he died at 71.

No doc will be cutting on my knees at all. I live alone and have no help. I’ve lost about 9lbs on WW and my right knee, which has been hurting more, feels better.

[Teacher Terry]

That’s great news that weight loss is helping. You have to have bone on bone before a doctor will do it and maybe by that time they will have a solution that doesn’t involve surgery. I think one thing being worked on is stem cell replacements. Actually more than one of my single friends much older had it and were able to come home and take care of themselves. It’s not as invasive as it used to be.

[early morning]

Back to the 15 minute walk concept:

"A member of Britain’s Parliament said that 15-minute cities were “an international socialist concept” that would “cost us our personal freedoms.” QAnon supporters said the derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in Ohio was an intentional move meant to push rural residents into 15-minute cities."

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/t...theories.html?

If there's a paywall, I'm sorry - this may work - different article:
https://www.dezeen.com/2023/03/14/ca...-city-creator/

There is seemingly no end to the idiocy some people will believe or the conspiracy shi! they will stir up just to cause controversy.

[HappyHiker]

In our move from the West coast big city life of freeways to life in an East coast village, we sought out having just about all our needs within a walk or bike ride.

It's pretty delightful, truth told. Relaxing.

If we need stuff from a big box store, it's a 15 minute drive away. But as we rarely need such stuff, and with ordering online, that drive is not made very often.

We have five bikes between the two of us--for different uses. Bought each one used and are very happy with them...

[San Onofre Guy]

I have all that I need including world famous comedy club, theater, movies, great restaurants, grocery, doctors, homeless, druggies and light rail system all within a ten minute walk. We moved here due to convenience. We plan on aging in place.