Video and Infographic
Gary Colen explains his lifestyle and what has lead him to live in very different locations. He explains living in cities in the North East, living in a southern suburb in North Carolina, and eventually transitioning to farm living to create a sustainable lifestyle, inclusive society, and employment for his sons. His sons, Ben and Nate both have disabilities and were one of the leading causes of his moving and lifestyle. Living in the North East, the Colens navigated cold weather, small apartments, and crowded cities. Then transitioning to suburban lifestyle with his growing family, suburban lifestyle allowed for more space, increased outdoor areas, and more accessible lifestyle with children. Then hoping for change, he established his farm, Mission Farm, with his wife, Hope Colen with the hopes of employing and providing a career for his sons.
Now what?
Now, Gary Colen reflects on different lifestyles, various levels of accessibility, and the effects of cities, suburban neighborhoods, and farm living on his mental and physical health. Colen hopes to expand his businesses ventures for his sons in the future, and has enjoyed experiencing living in various locations.
Change is scary-but it is good. I have loved living in a city, and suburban neighborhoods, but moving to a farm was an exciting change. Each place I have lived has allowed me different experiences, opportunities, and accessibility and I am grateful for each one of those places Gary Colen
Gary Colen is a local resident of Pittsboro, North Carolina. However, he hasnt always lived here. He grew up in the city of Bridgewater, New Jersey. Moved to Boston for college and eventually moved around from Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, Massachusetts before moving down south to Cary, North Carolina. After living in suburban area for around 10 years, he decided to move to a farm with his family.
Gary has loved living in all different types of locations. Cities, towns, and now on a farm land, he has experienced all different types of living styles. Mission Farm is what Gary Colen has established living in a rural area- and one of his favorite experiences yet.
Gary Colen moved down from Massachusetts to Cary to eventually Pittsboro for his family, but more specifically his two sons. Ben, who has Down Syndrome, and Nate who has Autism were the driving force into establishing Mission Farm, a place where individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities can work, learn, grow and flourish.
Pros and Cons
Urban
- Pros: easy accessibility, walkable, increased physical exercise, more people, increased diversity, more public transportation
- Cons: expensive, difficult to navigate, smaller living conditions, pollution, crowded
Suburban
- Pros: access to cities, more space, more greenery (i.e. parks, gardens, etc), less expensive
- Cons: less amenities, need for car, more space to fill, longer commutes
Rural
- Pros: more space, peaceful, less crowds, more privacy, access to natural resources, less pollution
- Cons: harder to navigate, long commuting, less public access, geographic isolations, lack of public transportation