Redefining “Normal” Neighborhoods in North Carolina

Families can reclaim their time and communities by rethinking family housing

For generations, the “normal” American dream has meant a house, a yard, a driveway, and a car (or maybe two). Families have grown accustomed to the idea that raising children requires a detached home in the suburbs, far from the bustle of the city. Each household has their own yard, yet they must drive to reach somewhere engaging to walk around. Whether it’s a downtown in Cary or Apex, or a greenway trail around a lake, the vast majority of us need to drive to access nice areas.

This definition of normal has come at a cost: long commutes, fewer hours in the day, and communities spread too thin to walk anywhere worth going.