The American Dream has always been important to Western society. Having a big house with a white picket fence and a family. One of the main dreams many hold is owning a home, dodging the natural judgment of people who can’t afford apartments. How acceptable is it to own an apartment in society today? Many can agree that Marion is growing. It has become a very popular place to hang out, catch up with friends, grab coffee, and walk around the growing area. But is it becoming too much? Are there too many apartments being built in the area? It is no surprise that Marion has grown so much in such a short time, but when does that growth become excessive?
Some positives of renting are having more flexibility, not having to keep up with maintenance, and giving people more freedom to move out quickly if they need to. Some cons of renting can be the “no pet” rule, the obligation to follow the landlord’s rules, and the inability to make changes to the home while renting. These rules can be beneficial for some people, and the complete opposite for others who may want freedom. The pros of owning a home are the ability to make changes that increase the home’s selling value, the allowance for pets, and the overall good feeling of owning a house. Some cons are having much more responsibility, the loss of value that can potentially occur over time, and it is more expensive than renting a home, according to Citizens.
As a result, the community has grown tremendously over the past few years. Marion has built hundreds of apartments in the area and is currently approving more. This has both benefits and disadvantages for the community. One positive is the ability to expand and maintain growth in the district, along with being able to keep up with the businesses. A disadvantage of having many apartments is the risk of pushing long-term residents out, which means more new residents in the area and fewer people who have lived here wanting to stay. The construction can also lead to conflicts regarding parking spaces downtown. There is a new loft that was built in Marion, and it is in an area with little to no parking. This leaves residents to wonder where they will keep their vehicles. It will create conflict for people who have been living in the area for a long time. The construction is a problem for multiple reasons: the community is overcrowded, there is constant construction, and the streets are full. Dangers arise from proximity to public roadways. Greg Semler, principal at the high school, said, “It hasn’t really adjusted our enrollment.” Meaning the apartments around the area haven’t affected the schools to a significant degree. Semler also said, “My own analysis is that [apartments] are mostly going to young people before building that family model.” Lots of people come from different places to stay for a short time for work or to stay for a longer time.
All of these issues factor into the community and either help or hurt the people. Additionally, adding apartment buildings can open a new world for Marion and help it thrive. With many new families coming to the town, and young adults waiting to start a family. Marion will continue to improve and create a great environment for long-term and short-term residents as well as a welcoming community for everyone.
