... to think this would be a wonderful place to live?

[eatsleepread]

Last night I had the strangest dream (reminds me of a song I know ). Strange dreams are all I ever seem to have, and I'm used to the WTF feeling as I wake up!
Anyway, I dreamt that me and my children moved into a beautiful flat in a large historic building - which does actually exist and has been converted! - in the city where I live.
Just outside the building, they had created a sort of man made beach for the children who live there (this part obviously being in my dream). I dreamt that I viewed the flat and was so keen to live there. There were children playing outside, and adults sitting around chatting on sunloungers The whole place had the nicest feeling to it, and a real community vibe.
Now, in my personal life, I probably am feeling a bit lonely. And this dream was somehow a response to that.
It left me thinking that 'community areas' being incorporated into housing developments is a jolly good idea!
Although I wouldn't fancy bathing off the sand every night ...
I get the impression that a proportion of Mumsnetters would rather die than live in the social hub of my dreams! So come tell me about your ideal place to live

It does happen in some.
Near us they have added picnic benches and grassed areas with flower beds etc. between the new build houses. There was actually a man made beach out in at first which was lovely but far too small. The novelty draw too many people from the whole city, people left their rubbish there and lots of idiots had dangerous fires. In the end they got rid of it. We can't have nice things. Because people.

It does sound nice. My village has its own version and we sit around the park and drink gin while the children play. The mother of a now adult child in the village used to do the same with wine.

I love the idea.

I think in reality they are not generally successful. I remember watching a programme about an inner city estate that had lots of communal areas, they ended up trashed by unreasonable tenants and not used by the reasonable ones.

I have always loved this idea. If I end up elderly and alone I will 100% move into some kind of retirement village type thing with a nice cafe or park.