Would it be better to raise kids in a big city like NYC or a smaller town?

[quelinda]

Originally Posted by beia

there are very few nice parks or grassy areas compared to any other city, dogs pee all over the place which makes it a nightmare if your kid ever falls down - which happens all the time, the city has a very hectic non-stop emotion to it -- which I love, but for kids, it's not ideal. They need peace and room to roam.

Well that is quite inaccurate there.

NYC has hundreds of nice clean parks for kids to play in. There are literally about 10 parks within a 1/2 mile radius of my apartment. I have never seen a dog in the playgrounds that I frequent in almost 3 years of steady "parking".

The sidewalks get washed off everytime it rains. And when it doesn't rain, the doormen wash off almost whole blocks with the hose every morning. My daughter has never suffered any injury from dog urine on the sidewalks in any event!

Generally my 3 year old daughter loves the city and seems happy here with all the activity and people. She loves riding the trains and buses, as we usually get around by car. She gets so excited its cute. This is a very child friendly city.

[Rebel To Amerika]

Education starts at home.

My brother and I was raised in NYC and because of that we are both street and book smart.

I am in PA right now, but I have really noticed the lack of intelligence about life these kids have at the age they are in. A LOT of stereotypes are passed around here about race and culture.

Another thing that bothered me and is the most noticeable is the lack of motivation to do anything. I like seeing people run around all day going and coming from work. I like seeing people having ambition to get things done effeciently.

I have decided to move back. I will be back to NYC in January. Thank GOD.

[eek]

^i second this.

there's something missing about other places. its not right to compare nyc to other places but its just...different. raising children in any other city isn't an option for me (when i have children). there are too many opportunities and too many things they would miss out on.

the mindset is needed. the go getter, survival mentality is needed. it seems like the rest of the country (IMHO, not trying to start anything) just goes through the motions in life. there's more to life than 8-10 dollar an hour jobs and living in a large yet cheap house in the south.

again, IMHO. ppl exist. but they don't live life, IMO. honestly it seems like these other cities are lacking. there's nothing like nyc and i would never want to deny the children that i'll have when i get married that opportunity...or make it harder for them to get that opportunity by moving out of nyc. trust, it will be difficult going from sc to nyc, for example. good luck with that...

[LadyR1990]

Originally Posted by Rebel To Amerika

I am in PA right now, but I have really noticed the lack of intelligence about life these kids have at the age they are in.

i would say 90% of the "small town" people i met in college are absolutely stupid with no knowledge or anything that isnt cows or beer. I come frome a diverse neighboor hood and my mother taught me street smarts (cleveland is dangerous!) however some of my friends have never seen people of another race and automatically think they have a gun. It really is a shame.

[muman]

I can see how it would be a great learning environment for kids, but the main consideration would be cost. For example, among other things, I'd like for my kids to travel to and learn about life outside NYC as well. If I'm really struggling with the rent, etc, things like vacations may be few and far between.