I'm a city boy that pulled roots to go suburb and raise my kids on grass to run on. Now that their grown, I yearn for the city life or should I say the "urban village".

Orlando is doing the same thing with several condo buildings coming up in the city limits... EVERYTHING is within walking distance..movies, theatre, food and shopping...

Lake Eola is a great place to go for family time in the park during the day and a romantic walk around the lake in the evenings...

I have taken that walk in the evenings myself with dates before I got married... it is VERY romantic... a wonderful fountain in the middle of the lake that changes colored lights every 2 minutes...a lighted sidewalk that fits 4 abreast easily..... easy listening music coming from lawn speakers every 50-75 feet along the sidewalk.... just a very nice way to end a day with someone special......

you are seeing it too. This idea is 50% of my business now as it started off as a tickle. I amy have you wrtie an article for my website as you have said it so well. I can just send you the photos,lol.

Don't you think that the attractive City Life, is becoming the new "yuppie", metro, lifestyle? Out here in the Bay Area, the luxury condos are being built on top of restaurants, and coffee houses. And the interior of these condos are like "homes".

Alexander~ that enthusiasm has now turned into romance, the worlds is at peace...sigh;)

Have to ask - why does your photo only show part of your face?  Is it an effective marketing technique?

Peter Andres ~ never having lived in the city, I can't identify with what you are feeling.  However, I do know one thing for sure, I could never live in the middle of nowhere...at least not for long.  Convenience and activities are very important to me.

Alex ~ I've been to Orlando and even your Celebration (I love that town's name).  Your area is booming. My impression is you get an International relo mix there..people from everywhere LOVE Florida.  It's a destination for more than the Mouse.

Eric, write the article, send me the photos, I will post it on my website and drive traffic to you...don't forget the back links.

Laura ~ I don't know that I would limit the lifestyle to yuppie's or boomers.  It's a trend that encompasses all classifications.

Suzanne ~ My photo?  You must tell me, is it effective?  Why did you ask?  :)

I wanted to be known as the Phantom of the Rain.  However I was given another moniker, the Hunchback of Notre Denver. 

Fame is fame.  Oh whoa am I.

That's the same thing many of the condo boom developers are hoping for in Seattle, but all they're doing is putting up another building.  Paul Allen is taking it a step further, essentially he's planning to create an urban village community just north of downtown.

This is really bad news for the traditional suburb and the generations of Xers that moved there.  We bought homes from the Boomers who are selling them at record prices to us to flock to the urban lifestyle.  Thier kids, Gen Y, prefer the city.

GenX will be living in the suburban decay in 20 years. 

The move to the city or village-like developments is also important for our aging baby boomers who will soon want to be closer to their doctor offices and see their ability to drive diminish.  City life does often offer a viable public transportation system that will enable the older generation to remain independent longer by allowing them to access shopping opportunities and other amenities without outside help.

I think Brian might be taking it one step too far, but then I live in the Midwest. So there will always be a collection of us "country folk" that had to move closer to Columbus to have a decent job -- but don't really want to live in an urban center.

That said, the hottest market in Ohio is the downtown Columbus area. I think that housing looks for a positive location where the price is right. So we saw the urban centers drop in value to the point where develepers could gobble up the space and create beautiful condos. In 20 years we could see a reverse and all that suburban decay will be "the next big thing"

How much experience has anyone had with gentrification in these areas? Just curious.

Having just made the move back to the city center, I totally understand the desire to move back to a community.  Suburbia, where I spent 30 years, was anonymous.  Eighteen years in the last house and I knew 4 neighbors by name.  Four weeks in my downtown house and I met neighbors on the front, side, back, two blocks over, and one block in front of my current house.  I knew more neighbors' names in 4 weeks than in 18 years in suburbia.  I love the way the neighbors keep watch over one another yet still allow you your separate life.  I like front porches and sidewalks.  I like walking the dog with the other dog people.  We didn't move because of gas prices.  We moved because we like the neighborliness and the energy of the city.  It was definitely the right choice for us!

We see the same thing going on here in Austin. The only thing is that the housing prices are DOUBLE than they are in the suburbs just 10 - 15 minutes away.

Living out by the Lake is still very popular but I've known more and more people that are selling to live "closer in".

I think it is a good thing, City Centers SHOULD be the HUB and when they become crime ridden they are avoided.

I've visited a few places in Florida that have what I call urban villages for the 55+ community, which I'm approaching. I like the idea of warm weather with softball leagues, tennis, golf, theatre clubs, dancing in the streets every day of the week and being only a golf cart ride away. I tire of 1/2 drives to the mall, 15 minutes to buy groceries and 8.5K real estate taxes.

I attended a seminar on "New Urbanism" at the Michigan Ass'n of Realtors convention.  Very interesting stuff.  Here is an interesting power point presentation on the subject.