Spryfield is home to many hard-working families, and there is rental housing and older housing that needs repairs, but the condition of some of the housing is not an indication that the community is “bad”. People need affordable housing, and it is a shame that sometimes “affordable” often means “unattractive/damaged”.
This issue will be solved when society guarantees dignified housing for all! (surely will happen aaaaany minute now..)
Why Spryfield is labeled
The other thing is that Spryfield suffers from bad planning decisions made in the car-crazy past. The main street, Herring Cove Road, was transformed from a charming, winding road dotted with old wooden houses, churches, shops and restaurants into a 4-lane thoroughfare dotted with huge parking lots, but this is not all there is to Spryfield! It is unfortunately all that most people see when driving through. The casual personal vehicle operator may not notice the many quiet, quaint, tree lined streets filled with families that exist behind the main road.
On top of that, are the usual preconceptions that plague areas that have housing and infrastructure needs as “crime-ridden”. I have lived in both Spryfield and South-end Halifax, and I would feel safer walking alone in Spryfield any night. The community is small, it’s easy to get to know your locals and people in Spryfield like to talk to each other.
In addition to friendly people, Spryfield has great resources, both in it’s beautiful wilderness areas and it’s library, schools, community centre, urban farm, wave-pool and health and wellness centre. It’s a short distance to fishing communities, beaches, lakes, and hiking trails. And i’m not just saying that so I can sound like an advertisement for new subdivisions!!
What i’m saying is this, I think the definition of “good” should include working class people, newcomers, affordable housing and if you agree, than welcome to Spryfield!