[refurb]

Where I live (not the US) has clean, efficient public transit and high density urban planning.

What do most of the middle class want? To move out of their cramped apartments into a single family home. And to own a car.

People act like suburbanism was forced on people when the reality is it’s preferred by many.

[ZoomerCretin]

>People act like suburbanism was forced on people when the reality is it’s preferred by many.

That some people prefer suburbanism does not imply suburbanism is not being forced on a large proportion of the population that prefers affordable housing in cities dense enough to support efficient public transit. When people moved to the suburbs, large corporations followed and built sprawling offices, often in areas with poor public transportation and without sidewalks. When the choice is between an apartment with a hellish commute and a house close to work, of course many opt for the suburbs, but that does not imply that this is their preference. A suburban home and a car are nice to have if it's an option, but too frequently it's a requirement to own a car, and painful to not live near your suburban office.

[vkou]

> And to own a car.

Who wants to own a car? Between tolls, parking, insurance, maintenance, and the sticker price, it's a large hole in the ground that I throw money into.

I do want to be able to use a car... To go out of town a few times a year.

[refurb]

Plenty apparently. Like I said, the public transportation is great here but owning a car is very popular. No more waiting for transit. No more trips that take 30 min that you can drive in 15 min. Easier to cart your kids around.

And it’s not cheap at all (import tax of 100%), yet people are more than willing to pay it.

[vkou]

Ah, so the problem with this is that it stops being something to aspire to when everyone gets one. Because then, that 15 minute trip turns into 30 minutes of gridlock, followed by 15 minutes of looking for parking.

That's the problem with cars. They are great in theory, but absolutely ruin a city in practice. Which is fine if you are the only person on your block who owns one...