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Our apartment building...Mo's window is the 3rd one up. |
The reason for this is Switzerland is a small mountainous country that only has a small amount of land available for housing. In fact only around 30% of the population owns homes, with less than this in cities. It is not uncommon for a family of four to live in an apartment of 100 m2. And unlike the US, detached houses are mainly on the outskirts, not in central areas.
Apartment living has actually been great. We don't really know our neighbors, unfortunately, but for the most part they have been quiet (with the exception of New Year's Eve 😉) and courteous. The only downside is we don't have a backyard. This is a bummer both because it is much easier to let Smidgey out a few times a day than walking her a few times a day, and because we can't really have a garden...or can we?
Actually the Swiss are great about community gardens. All over the city there are community garden plots:
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This is right next to the Siemens parking garage. |
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Some have multiple plots for multiple crops. |
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You can see a lot of them... |
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...from the train window. |
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There are quite a lot right outside of town. |
Seeds sown
among family,
friends,
and neighbors
are cultivated in love
and kindness
allowing the community
to flourish
and blossom.
©2018, Bridget Magee. All Rights Reserved.