https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:15:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-90045 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:24:35 +0000 regberadaisy 90045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are pros and cons to both that only you and your husband can decide what will work best for your child.<br /> My husband and I battled with this decision for years, literally, when we were deciding on where to settle down. Whether we would stay where we are (Upstate NY) or move to NYC to be closer to my family. Ultimately we decided that staying where we are was the best move for our family and the way we want to raise our children.<br /> I have to admit my biggest push for NYC are all the reasons hilsy listed. And they were my biggest fears of staying here. I did NOT want our child to be one of those I saw on the NYC Subway growing up....18 and it was their first trip to the "big city" and on public transportation!! That's not how I want our kid to be like.<br /> But then the more I thought about it with my family being in NYC our kids will be in NYC at least 2-3 times a year from birth. So they will get exposure of the big city as a regular part of their life. And although we're upstate and live in the suburbs the area is actually really diverse and full of culture. Not to the extent of NYC but it is still available to our kids.<br /> And honestly, being the product of a German/Irish father and Chinese mother how can you not be diverse. :)</p> <p>Anyhoo...back to your original question. My family obviously wanted us to move to NYC. They could not understand why we wanted to stay in boring ol upstate where there's NOTHING to do. Because you know we live in the "country" and everything closes down at 8pm. I mean come on things are open till at least 10pm! hehe. My ILS were more supportive I think of whatever we chose to do.<br /> I think my family has finally accepted we're staying put when we purchased our "forever" home. :D</p> <p>For what it's worth I grew up in Manhattan but when I got older we purchased a home in Queens. My brothers when they got married purchased a home in Queens and Staten Island respectively. They both wanted the house with "backyard" just not to the extent that my husband and I have. :P<br /> It's cool because my nieces and nephew will get to experience suburbia, huge back yard with inground pool through their time to visit us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-90030 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:12:13 +0000 SAHM0811 90030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love living in the city with my kids. Everything is at our fingertips... My nabe is super family-friendly too... Preschools, playgrounds, museums, etc are all so close. There really is so much to do with kids here. I wish I grew up here!</p> <p>Getting around with an infant isn't easy at first but then you get used to it. I do have to say though it's really harder now that I have two little ones (and we have no car), but because I don't stray from my nabe too much (no need to), it's fine. If I must and have the two with me alone, there's cabs or car service.</p> <p>We are moving out though to be closer to family (in CA). DD1 starts kinder in less than 2 years and I want her to start over there. Will definitely miss NYC though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-89713 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:51:17 +0000 umlo 89713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: we want to move before the kiddos get school aged too. That's why we want to enjoy some city before/if we have to move again. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-89707 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:48:48 +0000 umlo 89707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: what you described is what we want! I lived in the city and love the diversity and exposure so I think that's why my MIL talks to me more than my hubby because she believes I'm the culprit in our move. (hubby has told her million of times he wants the move more but she wants to believe what she wants). </p> <p>Her case as to why we shouldn't move isn't compelling enough other than to say her friends, who have friends tell her that nyc is no place for a family but doesn't elaborate further. And when i ask her, she doesnt say much. From what I gather about my MIL, her fears often stifle his kids and she's a creature of habit and security. In her mind, security = staying in one place until you die. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-89484 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:28:16 +0000 hilsy85 89484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@umlo: Why doesn't she think that raising kids in the city is a good thing? DH and I live in NYC and we think it's one of the best possible places to raise kids because of the incredible amount of opportunities and activities available to them. If our kids are interested in music, sports, astronomy, chemistry, etc, we have full confidence that there will be some resource in NYC that will allow them to pursue that passion. The arts and culture aspect is also amazing, as is the amount of diversity--even if our LO is in a class room with mostly white, middle class kids, walking around the streets every day, he/she is sure to be exposed to a variety of people from all walks of life. Basically, we feel pretty strongly about the benefits of raising kids in the city (we're also both products of that, as we both grew up in Queens--so I guess we're a bit biased! :)). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-89469 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:20:29 +0000 chopsuey 89469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in the burbs and BIL/SIL are raising their kids in the city. They seem to like it a lot.. They have a house in the city though (Atlanta's totally different than NYC) and have good schools close by.<br /> DH and I are eventually going to move once our LO(s) get school aged. Now sure where yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/raising-kids-in-the-city#post-89403 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:55:07 +0000 umlo 89403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL and I have been debating about this for quite some time now especially since we're considering leaving our surburban life for the city, specifically NYC. Every phone call I receive from her, she is always pitching how the city is NO GOOD for children and for me to stay right where we are. And in return I say the same reasons why we are leaving which agitates her even more but it boils down to what's right for our family. </p> <p>For those in a similar boat, did you also get this kind of push back from your parents, inlaws, etc? Also how has your experience raising kids in the city been? Do you wish for more space in the burbs or happy right where you are? </p>