The new Tremont Rd. Starbucks

I tried the new Starbucks today and ran into a former neighbor. He's lived there about 8 years now, moving in shortly before we left, and I think everyone around him has moved. He has one of the more challenging homes in terms of upkeep, but I think they can afford it. I don't know what happened to the family who bought our house--in our opinion they ruined the floor plan (removed the dining room), then divorced and sold it--probably at a loss. As I sat at the table and looked across the street at the floundering, frumpy Kingsdale Shopping Center I did wonder what sociologist/ city planner/ architect came up with the idea of "mixed use, high density" for suburbia. Only a few of these condos have sold, and they are in the $400,000-$600,000 range. It's truly awful, both in design and concept. The 50s ranch style four-families that used to be on this land made much more sense.