My decade old Red Wings shoes are still going with some minor maintenance. Their boots last even longer I've heard. For skateshoes I try to limit how many days a year I wear them and buy them on sale. Skate sole gum is make for grip not durability and isn't going to last long.

I love visiting town centers with hardly any parking. The whole downtown feels so walkable. Exploring is fun. It's what the modern suburban "outdoor malls" are trying to replicate artificially all over the USA but it's so much better when it's not controlled b a single property owner.