I was slightly offended this morning when the male morning talk show host, on what I believe was Star 94, go off on a caller. The caller happened to live in my intown neighborhood, and the host asked her, "Why would you want to live in a crime zone?!" 

The ability to walk to the store or to schools was lost on him, but I was a bit taken aback by his lack of interest and confidence in living in the city, which overall I don't believe really portrays Atlanta well, nor is sending the best message to listeners.  Plus, the suburbs have not been immune from break-ins and crime.

The ironic part of hearing this talk show this morning was that just yesterday I was really experiencing the best of what intown has to offer.  Sure, I have had my moments of being fearful and frustrated, but when the city works, it works.

For instance, I love the fact that if I'm hungry at 10pm, I can walk a block to the local pub and get food.  Yesterday I ran into my landlord there.  On the walk back I see a girl on a bike and a couple walking their dog. This morning I had a sidewalk walker totally witness the dropping of my cell phone and my cursing while on my driveway.  I didn't realize someone else was around until I looked up and exchanged a humorous look with the passerby.  I'm not sure you can be as entertained in the suburbs, but I suppose that depends on your humor. 

And other mornings I might run into my neighbor as I head to the train and say hello.  And that is a big part of living intown -- at least for me, I run into people I know wherever I go - the park, the store, a restaurant.   Plus, with the ability to walk or bike it makes life feel more simple, like being a child again with the neighborhood at your feet.  On its best days, intown living seems like a large playground or college campus.  It is especially nice when you have friends that live within a 10-minute commute, making it seem that much more communal.  My suburban friend even commented on how much more lively things were, and nice to see people out after dark at local non-chain restaurants or getting artsy at theaters or music clubs.

Surely there are better places to be intown than others, and perhaps the radio host didn't really take into account that Atlanta is a big city, and crime comes with that.  So you just be a little more cautious and keep your car doors and home doors locked.  The other issue too is that this radio host grouped all the intown neighborhoods as if they were all the same.  Neighborhoods change quickly in the city and all have very different crime levels and characteristics.  I would not live in Grant Park or Old Fourth Ward, examples he cited, yet I live intown.  I am here because of the community, of knowing the people around me, and because even if I am alone, I can walk out the door and come across people and activities and be connected to the city or even a stranger, witnessing my early morning foibles.