From the bustling, vibrant streets of Downtown Los Angeles to the quiet farmlands of the southern U.S., America is home to a multitude of diverse environments. Many Americans can agree that its population can be categorized into three areas: Urban, Suburban, and Rural. These areas vary greatly in terms of lifestyles, resources, and amenities; something for every American While many people believe that the suburbs are plain and unappealing, there is nothing I prefer more than the quaint way of suburban living due to its uniqueness, quiet environment, and unique diversity.
Now hear me out: I know many Americans are not big fans of suburbs. They are very car-dependent and environmentally unsustainable. They are filled with homogeneous homes and infinite cul-de-sacs that go on and on. They tend to lack diversity as well as a strong sense of community. Yes, these are the principal characteristics of the average American suburb. But suburbs present more than what meets the eye. I would like to direct you to my hometown.
Many Arizonans have yet to hear of the city of Maricopa. It is only a 40-minute drive from Downtown Phoenix and shares the same namesake as the county to its north, the fourth most populous county in the United States. It is overshadowed by its distant neighbors in the East Valley, bigger cities with much more appeal and resources than my community.
But just take a drive on I-10 past the East Valley and take exit 164 onto Queen Creek Road. Drive down Arizona State Route 347 through the Gila River Indian Reservation, which separates the town from the ever-expanding urban sprawl of Phoenix. Sure, you will see nothing but desert for miles and miles. If you’re lucky, you may see a herd of wild horses galloping alongside the highway.
As you continue down the 347, you will come upon a small, serene, but rapidly expanding community in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Mountain ranges are a short distance away including the Estrella’s, which towers over the small town. North of town lies Pima Butte, an isolated hill that pierces out from the vast desert landscape with the letter “M” engraved in it.
At first glance, I will admit, it does look like any other suburb in the area, with the “copy-and-paste” subdivisions and curved roads. However, look beyond that and it is more than what meets the eye. Every day, I witness developers, planners, and workers on the site, envisioning how this shopping center would look like. I observe students taking on managerial jobs for a local coffee shop. I take a glimpse at the dozens of cars driving down John Wayne and Honeycutt, making their way to the Valley.
It's not just ordinary people hustling with their day-to-day tasks. I see residents relaxing on their front porches taking in the view of their farms and local wildlife. I witness farmers tending to their cotton fields. In the subdivisions, I watch as families ride their bikes to the park. I notice residents having local gatherings at the nearby park. I can always catch somebody doing something every day in town,
But here is what I like about Maricopa that you can’t get with any other subdivision: It doesn’t fit neatly into any three urban types. Rather, it has aspects of all three of them. It’s urban in the sense that it’s a diverse community, with numerous nationalities and ethnicities represented in the community. It’s rural in the sense that we are still a farming community, with dozens of farms surrounding the town, as well as keeping the small town feel. It’s suburban in the sense that, well, it looks suburban, with its myriad of subdivisions.
However, here is what I see: Opportunity. As one of the fastest-growing communities in America, there is plenty of opportunity for the city. Opportunity to grow. Opportunity to develop. Opportunity to serve its residents. Every week, the city approves a new subdivision in and around town. There is always some company breaking ground for a new restaurant or store. There is always some moving truck coming into town. Maricopa is a town that has allowed me to thrive here where other communities did not, and it can do the same for every resident.
As I drive down the 347, I am reminded of the potential of what my town has. Sure, we aren’t perfect. Yes, we have a long way to go. But I am excited to see what happens in town within a few years or even later. So the next time you begin to criticize suburbs, all it takes is just a simple drive through town and take a glimpse into everyday life. It might alter your view of the suburbs just a little.
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