vuntele

We moved here 18 mths ago to duck the "rat race" and give our kids (one as yet unborn at the time of our arrival) the sort of upbringing we wished we could have had ourselves. Older relatives had lived in the area for many years and we had always been envious!
Being part of a new estate - one of three in the area - we initially expected to be viewed as "outsiders" to some degree by locals, but found that we were welcomed into the community and were soon active participants in and contributors to that community.
We have one child at the Flat Primary, another itching to get there. Most of the older children at the school know the receptions and "newies" by name, and take pride in taking them under their wing and showing them the ropes - try finding THAT quality in suburban school students!
We can understand why residents such as joon and UG70 feel the way they do about the changes to the town they've grown up in, but they must understand that people like ourselves have come here not to change the Flat into something that suits us, but to benefit from what it already is, and hopefully to help preserve that. We have seen no evidence of grafitti or vandalism in the streets in our area, and if we did it would be dealt with.
We have a Community Hall, which is open for drinks one night a week and dinners most Fridays, and this is a focal point for social contact where all locals - long term and more recent - can meet, exchange idaes and "network" in a friendly and informal setting.
Lastly, it is indeed true that there are not enough Post Office boxes to cater for everyone, but do you know what? We were next on the list to get one after somebody else left the area, and we turned it down. Because we prefer walking into the General Store each day and greeting the owners by name, and having the same courtesy (privelege?) bestowed upon us in return.
That's what community is all about, I think!
One more thing... lock the car? That's another urban habit we're glad we can dump!