Living in Hampton VA. Differs from Living in Newsoms, VA.

By
Christopher G. Evans

Professor Diana Martin
English 93-O1W
09 March 2013

OUTLINE

Thesis: Living in Hampton, VA. Differs from living in Newsoms, VA. in environment, people, and cost of living. I. First, they differ in environment. A. Hampton 1. Variety of structure 2. Scenery 3. Atmosphere B. Newsoms 1. Variety of structures 2. Scenery 3. Atmosphere C. Conclusion sentence.

II. The second comparison is the people
A. Hampton 1. Occupations, recreation and leisure 2. General characteristics B. Newsoms 1. Occupations, recreation and leisure 2. General characteristics C. 1. Conclusion sentence.
III. The final comparison is the cost of living A. Hampton B. Newsoms C. Conclusion sentence. EVANS 1 Living in Hampton, VA. Differs from Living in Newsoms, VA. in environment, People, and Cost of Living. There is a wide variety of housing options in the Hampton Roads area, which consists of seven major cities, numerous rural towns and several waterfront communities. Living in a big city is very different from living in a small country town. The three areas of major differences: are the environment, the people, and the cost of living. The city of Hampton , Va and the town of Newsoms differ in environment, people, and the cost of living. First, Hampton and Newsoms differ in environment. In Hampton, approximate population is 8 million people; there is a variety of housing options from luxurious condominiums on the waterfront to one hundred-year-old Victorian style homes, various apartment buildings and single family homes. Hampton also has several universities, libraries, sports complexes. Hampton is fairly compartmentalized, crowded, and congested with limited views. All the roads are paved; there are concrete sidewalks, but tress and shrubs are rare. Hampton has numerous public transportation assets, buses, trains, taxicabs. In contrast, in the small town of Newsoms, with an approximate population of 340 people, most of the structures are one hundred-year-old farm houses and single family homes. There are two small apartment complexes, a post office, a few small thrift stores, a family operated restaurant, one general store, and three churches. That is it. Newsoms has plenty of open space and lush scenery; there are numerous farms and lush green fields, vast meadows and tree groves. Newsoms has no public transportation available. It is clear that Hampton has a much better developed infrastructure with many

EVANS 2 conveniences. Newsoms however, has less pollution, less crime, cleaner air and the best drinking water in the county. In Newsoms a person can sit on their front porch for hours. EVANS 2 When the windows are open, one can hear the birds and the church bells; otherwise, it is very quiet and peaceful compared to the constant action, busy, congested, noisy, atmosphere in Hampton. Therefore the environment in Hampton and Newsoms differs greatly. The second area of contrast between Hampton and Newsoms is the people. In Hampton, there is a large population of white collar, administration office occupations. Federal, city and large business offices are all over the city. The people in Hampton, in general are business like in that they are anxious, busy, distant, with mug-face stares and generally unfriendly. However, in Newsoms, everybody knows his neighbors by first names, and knows their kids and pets. Everybody seems to be related and family ties are very close. The people in general are blue collar workers, who work in the plants, lumber yards and farms. The people in Newsoms are friendly, relaxed, and hospitable. It is amazing to see everybody exchanging a smile and hand wave. Thus, the citizens of Hampton and Newsoms differ greatly. The third area of contrast between Hampton and Newsoms is the cost of living. In Hampton, the average single family home is two hundred thousand dollars; the average yearly wage of a family is fifty to sixty thousand dollars. Utilities, gas, electric, cable are fairly high. Groceries are very expensive, especially fresh meats and vegetables. There is a wide variety of entertainment and recreational facilities, but they are all very costly. A trip to the movies is ten dollars; a baseball game is twenty-five. EVANS 3 On the other hand, in Newsoms, the average family yearly income is thirty thousand dollars per year. Utilities are slightly lower than in the city. The cost of living is certainly a consideration in choosing when a person chooses between the country and the city. The choice depends on one’s means. The major point is that one can live comfortable in the country with less money but you will also have fewer conveniences. Hence, the cost of living differs between Hampton and Newsoms. The three major differences of environment, people, and cost of living are all major considerations when a person chooses where to live depending on the size of his family, income, and desire for open space and a relaxed, secure existence in the country versus the busy, active, hustle and bustle that accompanies the city lifestyle.