We've got the old neighborhoods in Detroit. Lots of them. But that's about it...for now.

The American Planning Association [[APA) released their list of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2009 on Wednesday. Only ONE of these neighborhoods contains buildings from the 1950s onward.

LOL
What? No freaking malls? Acres of bleak, gray parking? No spray-stucco pre-fab strip centers? I was quite surprised!

Some of the stories of these areas are pretty inspiring; they weren't always very pretty. Quite a few were doomed to destruction at some point. One had freeway problems. You can read more about these places, and see maps & pictures at http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/...9/index.htm#BH from where the comments below are culled.

What will it take for one of our own to be on this list some day?

Pasadena, California
The first house dates to 1888, but most of the bungalows were built between 1905 and 1920.
 Bungalow Heaven

New Orleans, Louisiana
Originally a Creole suburb, Faubourg Marigny is a 200-year-old community.
 Faubourg Marigny

Lincoln, Nebraska
One of Lincoln's oldest neighborhoods [[1880-1920), the Haymarket is a historic warehouse and industrial district. Also the Farmer’s Market district.
 The Haymarket

Kenmore, New York
Buffalo's first bedroom community and streetcar suburb, first house dates to 1889, 10 years before the village's incorporation; majority of residential structures were built through 1925
Village of Kenmore

Fargo, North Dakota
Most structures here were built after a 1893 fire destroyed the city’s downtown.
Downtown Fargo

Portland, Oregon
A designated local and national historic district, the housing stock includes stunning examples of Old Portland architecture, such as Craftsman, Mission, Tudor, and bungalows. Platted in 1891, the bulk of the buildings were completed before the Great Depression.
Ladd's Addition

Franklin, Tennessee
Downtown Franklin has the Gothic Revival Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 built in 1823; This Neighborhood represents one of the finest concentrations of historic buildings in Tennessee; structures built mostly during 19th century and represent Federal, Middle Tennessee, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian architectural styles.
Downtown Franklin Historic District

Houston, Texas
The neighborhood was established in 1911 retains much of its early 20th century character: one-third of the city's historic districts are here. [[I live near here. This was splashed all over the news. It was on the front page and everybody's lead story. Not too much old stuff in Houston anymore. So, it was a real big deal.)
Montrose

Newport News, Virginia
The first of some 100 federally financed housing projects during World War I, Historic Hilton Village today remains much as it did when it was first planned and built in 1918-19.
Historic Hilton Village

Spokane, Washington
 The most culturally diverse neighborhood in Spokane, Browne's Addition is a mosaic of past and present. Stately Victorian and Early 20th Century homes are mixed with low-rise apartment buildings and condominiums. It also has a tremendous amount of trees, even for the area.
Browne's Addition