I Heart My Bikey Neighborhood
I heard a bit of a ruckus outside yesterday evening and wandered out to see what it was. Turns out the local neighborhood kids were teaching a young friend of theirs how to ride a bike. She had the biggest smile on her face as she rode up and down the street, veering calamitously back and forth on a brand-new pink bike with pretty handlebar fringe. Soon I noticed her parents were a ways up the street, showing pride and shouting encouragement. So naturally I joined in.
It made me think back to two years ago (almost exactly) when I bought this house. I don’t know why I even looked at it — it was not in an area I was really considering — but when I got here there were kids playing in the street and riding their bikes. It’s a predominantly Latino and African-American neighborhood and a lot goes on in the street around here — more so than I typically see in predominantly Anglo neighborhoods. I remember sitting out front just as I did last night, watching the local kids ride up and down the street cheering each other on, and thinking, well, I could really enjoy living here.
And I do.
Watching kids riding bicycles with joy and gusto is one of the few things that gives me hope any more.
– Erik Ryberg
April 8th, 2012 at 9:29 am
We are looking at moving further into town, what area did you end up in? We have been looking central along the 3rd st path but nothing that we both like and can afford. I’m sure there are areas we are not considering that we should.
April 9th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Hi Joe. I live near Cholla High School. If you are on the road that goes up to Starr Pass, I am in the neighborhood just off the road to the South. I am just a few blocks to Mission Road so access to the Santa Cruz bike bath at 22nd (or 29th) is quick and easy. But it’s a ways to a grocery store and it’s still a 15 minute bike ride into downtown, although it’s not a bad ride. I cross I-10 at the 18th Street Pedestrian crossing, which really isn’t bad at all. Good luck with your house search!
April 23rd, 2012 at 1:33 pm
I would try the neighborhoods off of the mountain ave bike path/Rillito path. The area south of the Rillito path from 1st ave all the way to country club. Nice desert still around there.
Also the area around Miles school hooks up nicely with the avaition bike path which connects to Golflinks for eastside access and in the other direction downtown, UofA, 4th ave. These houses are cheap, but definately need TLC. Love this biking town