I find it most interesting that Oldenburg discussed third places as pivotal community spots for people to get together and be at “home away from home.” I fully understand his argument for third places being levelers and I can see how they can be the only place for neighbors to find common ground.
Yet, what’s most intriguing to me is that I cannot seem to find a place like that in my own neighborhood back in Queens. Perhaps it is because I moved there when already in middle school and did not go to the local school. Perhaps it was because we were new. Perhaps it was because my mother and I were not like most of the people there, Caucasian elderly or Asian families. I do think there was neutral ground in the local candy store a block away from our apartment, but no one really bothered to interact each other. Moreover, third places seemed nonexistent. Even living in the dorms for the past few months on the lower east side, I feel as if there’s no real neutral or third place. I either go to school or out with my friends from school to the movies or some restaurant.
The more I reflect on my own experiences, I realize that I also never really felt a sense of community. There was no place where I ever felt I could stop by at any time and chat with other locals. Not to say this was in anyway terrible for me. I am indeed an introvert at heart. However, I feel like if my neighborhood did have that third place, we would all feel much more like a community.
I can see how Oldenburg finds a third place as necessary for a strong community. My neighborhoods would have felt way more homey if I talked to my neighbors on a consistent basis somewhere. I also think it’s good as Zukin argues to keep mom and pop shops around. They make up the soul of each neighborhood.
