Why It Matters

I was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania last weekend. Great place.

Living in the West, I don’t see a lot of red brick, and I definitely don’t see any buildings dating to the 18th century. I don’t see much in the way of stoops, either.

What was really interesting to me was that walking around I couldn’t tell whether I was in an okay neighborhood. All of the signs of “bad neighborhood” would be there — people drinking forties on their stoops, televisions lying on the sidewalk — but people either nodded hello or simply ignored me. And then I’d go to my hotel with Porsches and Maseratis waiting in the valet area, and people were dickish.

Which brings us to this week’s choose and defend. All you have to do is choose one (and only one) of the following, then defend your choice in the comments section.

Would you rather live in:

• A gated community

• A funky neighborhood

Answers must fit on the back of a yellow Century 21 jacket, and come on people:  Let’s make Laura B. proud.