Page 52 - PowerE-L05-F

Lesson 13

Living in Suburbs

Typically, single-family detached residences with

more green space and a lower population density
than the city are what make suburbs. They surround
major cities. Several factors led to the emergence
and expansion of suburban areas decades ago,
leading more people to choose to live in the sub-

urbs. After World War II, suburban areas emerged
as highway and commuter rail systems expanded.
Cars became more affordable and cities were of-

ten depicted in films as places filled with crime, despair and shady characters. However,
discrimination occurred in many suburban neighborhoods across the United States. To pre-
serve the interest of upholding property values, communities were prohibited from selling
their houses to anyone who was not white. Even more, non-whites are not welcomed to stay
in their home. Developers start new homeowners association at the start of a new commu-

nity and then later on pass the leadership to the locales. These associations have the legal
ability to set rules and levy fees on people who break them. Rules in suburbs somehow limit
the homes’ individuality. Suburban areas have been expanding farther from the city, which

is termed as urban sprawl. Forces such as lower land prices, less traffic congestion, and the
desire of people to avoid city taxes drive this. Benefits of suburban area include a change
in lifestyle including fresh air. Residents can exercise, walk their dogs, do gardening, have
barbecue or allow kids to play. Since suburban areas are generally thought of as better en-
vironments to raise children and tend to have higher-quality schools and lower crimes rates,

people consider living in the suburbs.

Comprehension

1. When did suburban areas emerge?
2. What are some of the advantages of living in the suburbs?

Questions

1. Who leads a suburban community?

2. Do suburbs have better environments for learning?

Vocabulary & Expressions

emerge - to appear or arise out of or from something
sprawl - to extend over across an area in different directions
congestion - state of overcrowding in an area
locale - the place is which something happens
detach - to disconnect or separate

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