A bit different, but apparently in Italy hardly anyone actually owns their own house, everything is rented. That'll be why half of Italy looks like a dump then.....
I'll get me coat and run before Pat sees this.
Ha ha! Just saw this, read the whole thread too (sad person I am!)
Yes, ime in Italy most housing is rented.
Uncle Mort has seen statistics to the contrary, may well be, I suspect there are strong regional variations.
Yes, most of the place is a dump
otherwise why would I be living in the uk?
Yes, if I was to cycle to work in the wee dump where I hailed, they would call me crazy.
Once, I went for a walk, on my return my family said "why did you not take the car?"
Then again, a friend that lives in the Milano area cycles everywhere, so do her friends. Nobody thinks this weird.
I come from a small village near Rome, she lives up north: again, I think regional/cultural variations are the key.
I do not have any opinions about the "cycling gulf", I do whatever suits me, can't afford a car, hate driving anyway.
Now that I know how to, I would cycle in the village. I am confident enough not to care about people thinking I'm wacko: being a foreigner (here and abroad too) I am expected to act a bit crazy anyway.
I think young people today are admirable in choosing to cycle, while most of their peers want a car asp.
But I would recommend the young cyclist to learn how to drive: you might miss opportunities if you don't.
Ciao!
