In 2006, American writer Mike Davis foresaw an upcoming milestone: when the majority of the global population will live in cities. Now, over half the people in the world live in cities and the ratio continues to increase. Over the next 25 years, the urban populations of Africa and Asia are expected to double as more people move into cities to find opportunities. In this case, “cities” are defined as metropolitan areas, including both core city centers and suburbs.
Although both types of areas are experiencing vast population growth, the distinction between the “big city” life and suburban lifestyles remains drastic. Nowhere else is this stark contrast in lifestyles more apparent than in the international community of Beijing, where people are largely divided into two categories: city dwellers and Shunyi denizens.
Reasons for choosing one or the other are complex and are often more about relative location to key establishments (such as schools) than personal preference. Nevertheless, just as there are people who love the smell of fresh suburban air, there are individuals who enjoy the bustling city life. So where does the difference lie?
Big City, Big Dreams
The epitome of a huge, bustling metropolis, New York City is an example of the dense amalgam that defines a big city. In New York, financial castles from the business world are built alongside world-renowned liberal arts colleges. It is where an artist and a businessman can squeeze in the subway or line up together for a cup of today’s brew at Starbucks. While New York is already known for a skyline packed with towering skyscrapers and an extensive subway system with stations scattered every few hundred feet, the city continues to grow and make way for new creative minds to flourish.
Many people aspire to live in large cities such as New York. The city life is indeed a pool of opportunities for young people. There is something for everyone, from theatres, to art galleries, to fine restaurants. It is also a great place to meet new people with similar interests. Transportation is never an issue with distinct yellow taxis at every turn, complemented by extensive bus and subway routes. Some cities (like Beijing) even have bike lanes! The availability of transportation in a metropolitan area is unheard of in suburban districts.
However, there are still downsides to city life. For example, the high financial cost of living in a city: the money used to buy a spacious house in the suburbs, complete with a yard, would only procure a tiny apartment in the city. Also, as any seasoned Beijinger knows, traffic is horrible in the center of the city. With a symphony of honking cars on the roads, pollution from exhaust is sure to be produced. On a more serious note, crime and gang violence is on the rise in large cities. Cases of stabbing are reported in London daily, just as the sound of gunfire is often heard in New York.
The fast-paced city life can be a downer for some, while remaining an excitementfor others. Such a lifestyle may be too stressful for some people to cope with, and emotional alienation in a big city may affect a person’s relationships negatively (New Yorkers are at the top of a “rude list” poll!) However, for people who feel unaccomplished without some measure of excitement in their lives, there is no better living option than that of a large metropolis.
Small Town, Cozy Living
“I hate the fact that I have to step into an elevator every time I want to leave this place. The grass also smells fake here!” says a student who recently moved from a suburban district in Canada to the Central Business District of Beijing.
In suburban districts, one can find privately owned bakeries, cafés and grocery stores. Because the population of a suburb is much smaller than that of a city, many inhabitants are well acquainted with each other. This creates a warm communal feeling that a big, enveloping city cannot recreate.
Suburban life is peaceful and relaxing. Stress is minimal, as the environment is less tainted than that of a smoggy city. Education before college level is generallybetter, as the small population means smaller teacherto student ratios.
However, life in the suburbs is not without its disadvantages. A relatively small population means that there is low demand for specific services such as hospitals and emergency facilities. Thus, these services are often strategically placed between several such suburban regions to serve a larger community. Compared to a big city, suburban areas lack job opportunities and promotion prospects.
In conclusion, both the big city and the communal suburb provide possibilitiesfor a fulfilled lifestyle. While the bustling metropolis may be unparalleled in terms of opportunity and excitement, the grounded suburb may be the best option in terms of maintaining a peaceful, warm lifestyle. Thus, it’s no wonder that populations in both areas are rapidly growing as the century progresses.
About UNIT-E
UNIT-E was founded in the spring of 2010 with the aim of establishing a non-profit, student-run magazine for international students in Beijing. Staffed by current students from a range of international schools, the magazine provides an amalgam of cultural tidbits, fragments of Beijing student life, and a broad spectrum of unique perspectives from a diverse group of young adults.
UNIT-E was founded in the spring of 2010 with the aim of establishing a non-profit, student-run magazine for international students in Beijing. Staffed by current students from a range of international schools, the magazine provides an amalgam of cultural tidbits, fragments of Beijing student life, and a broad spectrum of unique perspectives from a diverse group of young adults.
Photo by Flickr user: Michael McDonough
