Bedroom Community

A residential community primarily located in the suburbs, often near an employment center, but itself providing few employment opportunities.
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Definition

A bedroom community, also known as a commuter town or dormitory town, refers to a residential area where the majority of the population commutes to a nearby city or employment center for work. These communities are typically located in suburban areas and feature predominantly residential units with limited local job opportunities. The term “bedroom community” implies that residents primarily use their homes for sleeping, as much of their daily life, work, and social activities occur outside the community.

Examples

  1. Greenwich, Connecticut: A classic example of a bedroom community, Greenwich is a popular residential choice for people working in New York City, offering a tranquil suburban lifestyle with proximity to urban work centers.
  2. Arlington, Virginia: While it has some local employment, many residents commute to Washington, D.C., making Arlington an excellent example of a bedroom community serving a major employment hub.
  3. Palo Alto, California: While it is home to Stanford University and some businesses, many professionals still commute to the larger Silicon Valley or San Francisco Bay Area, defining it as a bedroom community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are they called “bedroom communities”?

A: The term “bedroom community” originates from the notion that residents primarily return home to sleep (use their homes as “bedrooms”) after spending most of their time working or engaging in activities outside the community.

Q: What are the advantages of living in a bedroom community?

A: Advantages include a quieter, more suburban lifestyle, often with better schools, less traffic congestion, and more green space compared to urban living.

Q: Are there economic downsides to bedroom communities?

A: Economic downsides can include higher transportation costs for commuting, limited local job opportunities, and potentially less diversified local economies.

Q: How do bedroom communities impact urban planning?

A: They require careful urban planning to manage increased traffic from commuting, ensure adequate public transportation, and balance residential growth with the preservation of green spaces.

  • Suburb: A residential area on the outskirts of a city.
  • Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.
  • Commuter Belt: The area surrounding a city from which people travel to work.
  • Mixed-Use Development: Real estate projects that combine residential, commercial, and recreational uses in one space.
  • Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): A type of urban development designed to maximize access to public transport.

References and Resources

Suggested Books for Further Study

  • “Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream” by Andrés Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck
  • “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs
  • “The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America’s Man-Made Landscape” by James Howard Kunstler
  • “Edge City: Life on the New Frontier” by Joel Garreau

Fundamentals of Bedroom Community: Urban and Suburban Studies Basics Quiz

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Before-and-After Rule
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