Build a neighborhood from scratch

[OffTheRoad]

I've an idea for a web community that would recreate the neighborhood and bring people together. My thinking is that given the state of the economy as well as the change in traditional community structures that an online solution would be welcomed by many people.

What caused the traditional neighborhood/community structure to disappear?

What types of functions would a web site need to have in order to recreate that support structure?

Would you use it?

Would you contribute to it and help others in the community?

[SendBlast]

I have no idea what you are talking about

[OffTheRoad]

I have no idea what you are talking about

I'm talking about a social network that is built around enabling regional groups to 'get together' without having to physically travel. Basically take the benefits of a craigslist type service and a facebook like service but remove the useless, juvenile bits and turn it into a place that people can come together and exchange ideas, get questions answered, and find the help and support that a traditional physical neighborhood used to give them.

[SendBlast]

So people who live near each other, can use your service to chat with each other, and instead of seeing each other?

If they dont talk in real life, why would they use your service

[JaytheCreative]

Actually, I understand where you are going. U may be on the right path, but need some finetuning.

For instance, a "www.theKenoshafamily.com" (just for example, not a known domain), where Kenosha residents and former residents (or friends and family) can chat and exchange information (news, events, reunions, for example) or even setup carpooling in a safe, free universal way.

It's a great idea, that probably already exists. But, there is always room for creativity and originality (the best of entrepreneurship).

I've considered this and am sitting on a larger Business Plan that does involve this concept as a small piece.

[JaytheCreative]

*edit* Let's think large scale on a small scale topic. Sure people within the same neighborhoods don't need and shouldn't focus their communication strictly through the computer. However, one could tie every neighborhood and sub-community together within a region, state, province, whatever.

[mbrand2222]

For what it seems like you are talking about, there is already a place called Meetup.com. I'm in one of the groups. You can just get ideas via the forum or you can actually go to the meetup meetings. If this isn't what you mean, maybe you could at least get some good ideas from them.

[OffTheRoad]

For what it seems like you are talking about, there is already a place called Meetup.com. I'm in one of the groups. You can just get ideas via the forum or you can actually go to the meetup meetings. If this isn't what you mean, maybe you could at least get some good ideas from them.

I'm a member of meetup as well and outside of setting up meets its very lacking - although that was part of its original appeal - it fit a specific niche.

I'm looking at a concept that combines the functions of many current social networking concepts but houses it in a very specific community - regional neighborhoods. Consider Zillow - it does nothing new but it combines many aspects of other successful realty/mapping sites to create a new tool for more regional based usage.

-JaytheCreative- I agree that some ideas are better to target larger groups but my focus is on creating a vehicle for smaller communities to utilize. I believe it allows for better responses for local needs

-SendBlast- you got it...most people that live near each other in cities/towna don't talk to each currently. their is a fear not 'knowing' who you live next to that has permeated our society - thats why the predator maps are so highly traffic'd. We've changed from a community that trusted and relied on our local neighborhoods to a community that fears/mistrusts them and prefers to get help/social contact through the internet (match.com, meetup, fanscape, myspace, twitter, etc...) My idea is merely to reintroduce the 1950's neighborhood concept to the world as an upgraded, safe, network-based tool

[SendBlast]

Ok, you have a site that is divided by location. people from one area join one section of the site, called 'new york'.

what do they do on your site?

[UMD]

i think the youth could get involved

[unlimited22]

Lots of new social networks forming such as 6DGR (which pays members to expand its community). Most give you the option of searching for people in your area by zip code.