Raising Baby: Urban Area or Suburbia?

May 6, 2008

My kids are sixth generation San Franciscans and since we have so much family here, I can't imagine raising them anywhere else despite the expensive cost of living.

But relations aside, this town is a place where just about anything goes so my children have been exposed to different lifestyles, demographics, cultures and cuisines.

On the other hand, I have friends who swear by their decisions to rear their kids in suburbia.

Which did you choose — city dwellings or country roots?

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13 Comments

michelleannette 5 years 1 week

my significant other and i grew up about 30 miles outside of seattle. everything is so green and lush...it's paradise really. i want to raise my children in a similar setting.

kiwitwist 5 years 2 weeks

Suburban

Twinkle 5 years 2 weeks

We live in the country surrounded by forest, wheat fields and the sea. It's a beautiful place to raise the kids but it can feel a bit isolated and there isn't as much to do as in a city. But the kids get lots of fresh air and sunshine and have plenty of room to run.

graylen 5 years 2 weeks

I love where I live in LA... it's a small town feel in the middle of a big city.

JennyJen 5 years 2 weeks

We live rurally, but are within driving distance to a few major cities - so I love it!

DesignRchic 5 years 2 weeks

I'd like to raise my kids in a happy medium of urban and suburban. You really learn so much about culture when living in urban areas, and you also enjoy the more scenic areas that a rural area has to offer.

PRSugar 5 years 2 weeks

My friends think I am crazy to raise my son in NYC, but we love it. We walk almost everywhere and don't even own a car (we rent one when we have to leave the city). We have a great playground across the street from us and Central Park about a 15 minute walk away. My son thinks getting on the subway is an adventure and loves trying new foods in all different types of restaurants. The only two drawbacks to me are the space (our apartment is beginning to feel very small) and the cost of living, but I feel like he is learning so much every day just from the city he lives in!

gab6784 5 years 2 weeks

I am sort of mixed. Being from NYC born and raised the city has always been my only home and I loved having so many options growing up for activities and places to eat, etc. Living in Jersey now though not necessarily the suburbs I can appreciate the quite and peaceful community feeling that you can only get in Suburbia or Rural areas. I guess it doesn't hurt to have the best of both worlds - which is what my daughter is getting.

anniekim 5 years 2 weeks

I'm a suburban girl myself and raising my kids in suburbia is working well so far. We are only 10 minutes in to the closest city (Providence) and an hour into a major city (Boston)--so I feel that the cultural opportunities are abundant. My sister in law, on the other hand lives in the middle of no where Arkansas (not a gymboree or music together class in sight) but it is beautiful, they lots of land, the air is clean etc. So I can see that side of the argument as well. I think is all boils down to what you are comfortable with as a parent and making the most of the opportunities your environment affords.

POPSUGAR Moms 5 years 2 weeks

Mishell — I added rural for you.

lickety split 5 years 2 weeks

suburbs. we live outside sf, and go into the city every weekend. we like having a yard and the freedom of our cars (and parking spaces, lol). but the city has a lot to offer. a few things we have had to stop going to because the parking is SO bad and public transportation is not to our liking (the ice rink). and oakland; stopped going there all together, not safe.

Mishell 5 years 2 weeks

What, no option for rural? That's my vote. You don't have to live in a crowded city for kids to be exposed to different lifestyles, demographics, cultures and cuisines.

ALSW 5 years 2 weeks

My children will be raised in suburbia. It's cheaper, closer to my family, and both my husband and I grew up in similar areas.

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13 Comments

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