As soon as we entered the state of Maryland, things began to look differently, especially for my daughters, who have lived most of their lives in upstate New York. There are any number of counties in NY which are economically depressed. Two out of three of those daughters live in areas or school districts which are underprivileged or under-educated or suffer from unemployment.
One daughter lives in Ithaca, which is a highly educated university town. But calling it visibly affluent would be completely inaccurate. There are parts which I would describe as "quaint." There are a few modern suburban-like residential areas, but many of the older houses downtown have become student housing. There is always a mix of the lovely homes and the poorly cared for ones. The style of living is not homogeneous.
As far as 60 miles out from the D.C. area, we noticed how different things looked. Everything in every direction was well kept and maintained, modern, new, manicured, fresh. The closer we got to the Washington area, the more affluent the surroundings became. It was just so different from the area in which we live, where down the road from a lovely new home, one could see an old camper parked in the trees, serving as someone's residence, surrounded by junker cars.
The daughters expressed their envy of the affluence around us. I will admit that everything looked attractive. But I am sure that one pays some kind of a price for that, not the least of which would be an unbearable amount of traffic.
The whole area did seem much more civilized than the haphazard hamlets and antique villages which surround us in central New York.
But I don't recall feeling envious of that environment. I like being closer to nature. I am not fond of crowds. I appreciate a slower pace.
I am very very happy right where I am.
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