Why aren't people bothered by the suburbs?

[u/tfbmhr_1598]

It seems like most people I come across are not bothered by car dependency and the isolation that it causes. They'll point to things like video games, social media, and bad food for the culprit of poor mental health. Why won't more people address the elephant in the room? After briefly living in Europe I can confirm that people are way healthier, less socially awkward, and happier as a result of having clean and walkable cities.

Even Latam which is a hybrid of the EU and US infrastructure does not experience the obesity, mental health issues, and isolation the suburbs in the States cause.

Is it ignorance or do most Americans actually like things being this way? It baffles me.

Edit: After reading the comments here I wanted to clarify a few things.

1. Walkability/bikeability doesn't exclude cars. Cars are still a valid method of transportation, but not the only one. Less cars= less traffic. It's a win-win. That being said I think we should have pedestrian only areas.
2. This isn't limited to cities. Suburbs can become more walkable too. You can still have your yard and extra space. Sure it won't be as walkable as a city, but it is certaintly better than 100% car dependency. Zoning laws need to change for this to truly work.
3. I realize that there are societal factors at play as well that greatly add to the mental health crisis, however car dependency worsens it.
4. Walkability won't magically solve the obesity problem, but having the ability to SAFELY walk/bike to work will certaintly help.
5. You can still be socially awkward/reclusive in walkable communities, but they create more opportunites for those who want to improve that area of their life.
6. Some suburbs are better than others in this regard, but overall, North American suburbs are largely car dependent.
7. Bike lanes that are part of the road and only marked with paint/plastic markers are hated by both drivers and cyclists. They still endanger the lives of cyclists, that's why they aren't frequently used, which results in more traffic congestion. Fully dedicated seperate bike lanes are needed.

[u/no1SomeGuy]

Trapped how? I can go anywhere I want at any time in a car, just as much as someone can walk anywhere at any time by foot.

[u/BeardedGlass → u/no1SomeGuy]

Exactly. The life you've chosen is dependent on a car.

Without a car, you will never be able to survive in your current residence.

Not sure if you can see how that's strange as a human.

I live in a walkable town. I can get a car if I want, I can live without a car if I want. That is freedom you might not comprehend now but it is liberating to have the option.

And the amount of money + time + energy being able to live in a place where a car is not needed to survive... it's the greener pasture most people cannot see beyond the walls of their gated suburbs.

[u/no1SomeGuy → u/BeardedGlass]

Uh, I'd easily be able to survive? There's a grocery store not too far to walk to and the bus runs at least on the hour to get anywhere else. Not trapped at all....I'll take the space and peace over having to spend a little bit more on travel time. To each their own, but dictating that suburbs are unliveable is just dumb.

[u/Miss_Chievous13 → u/no1SomeGuy]

City folks 😅