Why the hate on the 'burbs?

Here is a random thought.  What I notice, is that there seems to be a lot of "hate" on the 'burbs.  In full disclosure, I live in suburbia.  There are things I like and things I don't like about it.  So, here is my list of what there is to like and dislike about living in the 'burbs.

What I like:

• Not a lot of traffic
• Neighborhood kids for my kids to play with
• Clean
• Fairly safe
• Neighbors notice if something is not quite right. 
• A great area for outdoor exercise

What I don't like:

• Not much diversity
• There seems to be an awful lot of rules and regulations.
• Busy bees
• I have to drive to most places
• It's really hard to "bond" with neighborhood folks, when you don't watch sports or drink.
• I would love to have goats or chickens or both and obviously that's not happening around here.

Ideally, I would like to be a bit more in the country.  It seems like the hate comes from city dwellers.  So tell me, what's so great about the city?  I would like to know if there's something that I'm not seeing that I may be missing out on.

When It All Seems So Overwhelming...

Well, I've set my goals annnnnnnnnnd...I've not even started on them.  I feel like I have so much to do that I'm having a hard time setting aside the time to start my journey into minimalism.  How do I get over the hump?

Another thing I'm struggling with is my son.  He's very strong willed.  When he does something wrong and we try to discipline him he just laughs and thinks it's a game.  We've tried to put him in the corner...he leaves or he laughs when we try to keep him there.  We've tried just telling him "NO"...he doesn't listen.  We've tried slapping his hand...he laughs.  The only time he does listen is when my husband yells at him in his "briar voice".  Basically, he yells at him loudly with a deep voice.  I don't want my house to be full of yelling all the time and besides my husband isn't home all day to yell at him.

Do you have a strong willed child that's around two?  How do you discipline them?