Suburban Living

Here is a collection of ideas of how to engage in your suburban community. Thanks to the Christians in Suburbia class (Fall 2008) for coming up with these. Feel free to add more as ideas come to you!

Also, find a list of good reads about Christians grappling with living in suburbia at the end of the page. It’s good to know we’re in good company!

Updated April 4, 2009

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Shopping

• with a friend
• establish a relationship with the shop owner
• clothing swaps
• borrow what you don’t have to buy

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Down Time

• go on a walk around the neighbourhood (with someone)
• get a front porch!
• movie nights
• sports nights
• games nights
• use that bowling alley (or some other cool facility) in your apartment or condo!
• ice cream nights
• have a progressive meal or house crawl – everyone cooks a dish and everyone visits your place to eat that dish!
• open house for the holidays
• craft night
• mystery cooking night

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Eating

• check out local restaurants
• potlucks
• block party!
• borrowing ingredients from your neighbours
• eating outside (at home and work)
• entertain your neighbours
• community gardening

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Chores

• borrowing/sharing equipment (and don’t mind the damage so much!)
• doing things for your neighbour (e.g. cutting grass, snow removal…)
• babysitting other kids along with yours – meet other parents while your kids play
• repairing things for others at no cost – use your skills!

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Travelling

• carpool
• listen to recordings of messages from others, or have people make you mixed tapes/CDs to enjoy in the car
• bike or walk in your own neighbourhood - notice things/places/people
• take public transit

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Reading List

• Rethinking the Evils of Suburbia by Todd Hiestand
• subtext: The gospel in the suburban context blog
• Suburban Missional: The Iceberg Beneath by Kathy Escobar
• The Suburban Christian blog by Al Hsu
• Suburbanites, Experience Your Urban Centers by Steve McCoy