Hello, my name is Nicki Meyer. Like Sarah, i have moved around several times in my life and each place has had its similarities and differences. My most recent home was Gainesville, Florida. Gainesville is a great example of suburban sprawl. The main reason for this is its well known, predictable, traffic. There was never a single rush hour in Gainesville, it was an all day thing. One main road ran through the middle of town, Newberry Road. The mall, the University of Florida, all of the restaurants, and much more was on this connector road. Newberry road was the way to everywhere in Gainesville, no alternate routes.

The part of Gainesville I lived in is called Haile Plantation, a very young part of the city. This part of Gainesville would be considered somewhat traditional if the rest of the city was not taken into account. Everyone from retired couples, to new families with several children live in Haile. The diverse housing and living space makes it possible for people of all different situations to live there. There is a small village center only a half a mile away at most from all houses in Haile. In this village center, there are apartments and houses from all different price ranges. Also, there were many boutiques, a grocery store, a few restaurants, all of which are in brick buildings nicely blending with the surrounding areas, and also beautiful, outdoor parks with benches and fountains. In Haile it is very friendly and neighbor oriented. Unlike other parts of Gainesville, people know each other and it is very close- knit. Several walking and biking paths run through out Haile completely discouraging the use of automobiles, and encouraging exercise and being outdoors.










Though no schools or major shopping centers are a part of Haile Plantation, it still seems to fit more of a traditional community than suburban sprawl. There are no main roads "connectors" running through Haile at all, breaking down a lot of traffic, not to mention the many different routes that are available. Outside of Haile Plantation, driving is an absolute necessity. Gainesville is expanding everyday farther and farther out into the country, another characteristic of sprawl, while Haile Plantation remains small, quiet, and peaceful.