What's it like to live in the suburbs? [View All]

I recently visited friend who's staying with his parents out in one of those new subdivisions where all the houses are new, big, "McMansion" homes. Very "opening to Edward Scissorhands" was my thought when we pulled up to the house. The drive out was odd. I hadn't been out that way in a few years and the last time I was, there was nothing between my city and where these houses are. Now, there are giant movie theaters, huge stores, huge chain restaurants--and everything is new. Huge, boxy, and new. Not new, but "NEW!"

I live in the city, and though I grew up in a suburb, mine was very near the city proper and more like an old factory town with more "city-like" qualities than the place I was at the other day. I've always looked at these new developments with disdain--who needs all that bigness, all that buying, all that everything. But as more of it springs up, I'm starting to wonder about my perceptions. I guess I'm just used to thinking that the city is where it's at, but maybe it really isn't at all anymore.

So. In an effort to understand this, I want to know: If you live in a place like that, why? What do you like about it? Do you think all those stores, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. are necessary (as in, is their existence supported/used by you, your neighbors, etc.)? What to you do all day/weekend? What's it like to be around all that clean, newness all the time?

I'm not asking this to judge or anything. It's just such a foreign way of life to me and I'm interested in finding out what makes people want to go there and stay there, because it keeps growing so there must be something to it.

Thanks.