Over the years, pop culture has presented the “perfect neighborhood” in a number of ways. Movies like Pleasantville show a city devoid of anything dangerous or unpredictable, while cult-favorite Gilmore Girls presents a quaint community anchored by a central town square and full of eccentric residents who take part in regular cultural events. Shows like The Jetsons even offer a futuristic take, where residents drive flying cars and live on stilts above the clouds. But what does the dream neighborhood look like to real people today? Perhaps the most important places in which we exist, where we live—or want to live—says a lot about collective values, needs, and aspirations. Below, AD talks with six people about their perfect neighborhood—maybe your ideal home base is on the list too.
Hayley Haywood’s neighborhood shares a commitment to social justice.
Dreamer: Hayley Haywood, EdD, 36
Occupation: Founder and chief equity officer of Elevating Access
Current location: Massachusetts, USA
“I feel like my ideal neighborhood should be in alignment with my values,” says Hayley Haywood. For her, that means a community underpinned by a commitment to social justice. “It would be a shared core value,” she says. “And the neighborhood would contribute to the soul fulfillment—or soulfilment, as I call it—of all the residents there.” She envisions a place full of creatives, holistic healers, doctors, educators, carpenters, and farmers, among others, who would all contribute their individual skills and passions towards collective success. “This way, no one worries about social isolation, and we are embodying the notion that ‘it takes a village’ knowing that we are stronger together.”
Climate would also play an important role in the community’s location. “I’d want it to be a place where you can connect with the land all year round, and you could grow vegetables and fresh food,” Haywood adds. Verdant trees and flowers would dot the landscape and a beach would be nearby for all residents to enjoy.
“The neighborhood would be designed with the purpose of bringing people together,” she adds. Circles, symbols of unity and connection, would define the layout. “There would be a community circle in the middle that would include a landscaped pool, lounge area, and barbecue space.” She also imagines a shared community center that could hold a performance space and other amenities. “It would be a place for people to celebrate and find joy without having to leave.”
2024, 30.08
