This morning, my partner texted me, sounding frantic, because she couldn’t locate her membership card for the Staten Island Children’s Museum, a place she planned to visit with our little ones. Later, she sent a picture of my 7-month-old, who was, in typical goofy fashion, trying to gnaw on a questionable toy at a museum. I replied, poking fun at my son and inquiring which museum she ended up at, certain she had not found her card.
To my surprise, she had taken the kids to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum instead. Initially, she wanted to go to Staten Island, but she could only find her card for the science museum in Queens, which, let’s be honest, is essentially a children’s museum in its own right. Meanwhile, my son was clamoring to return to the Museum of Natural History—for the fifth time—or maybe the NY Transit Museum, or even the science museum in New Jersey where we once spotted R2D2. All of these fantastic destinations are less than an hour from our Brooklyn home.
The options are practically endless.
Just this past weekend, we hopped on a ferry to Governor’s Island so my 5-year-old could enjoy the new slide park. Afterward, we returned and spent some time at Brooklyn Bridge Park. On our way home, we passed Prospect Park, where my son was so enamored with the three playgrounds we encountered that we had to coax him away to get back to our apartment.
This variety is precisely what draws us to New York City.
A few years ago, we left the bustling metropolis for the same reasons many people do: high living costs, limited space, and crowded areas. But when we returned after a year and a half in a quieter place, those concerns still lingered. Sure, living in the city can be pricey, and it’s unlikely we’ll be purchasing a house here anytime soon. We attempted to downsize by moving to Raleigh, which is labeled as a city but lacks a central downtown and reliable public transportation—so it didn’t feel like a true city. I’m not disparaging Raleigh; we cherish our friends there and enjoy our visits. However, despite our desire for more space and lower costs, it just wasn’t right for us.
Both my partner and I hail from non-urban backgrounds. I grew up in suburban Connecticut, while she spent her childhood in rural Pennsylvania. The idea of raising children in a bustling city like New York was far from my original plan, and I’ll admit I have my reservations. The thought of my kids commuting by subway to high school is daunting, and I’ll always feel a twinge of regret that they won’t spend their childhoods racing dirt bikes down wooded trails. Nevertheless, it’s all about trade-offs. For everything they might miss, they will receive countless enriching experiences in return.
While we may not have a sprawling yard (and we’re grateful for the small patch of green we do have), the abundance of nearby parks and green spaces makes up for it. Space may be limited, but it’s overrated when all of life’s necessities and luxuries are just a short distance away. From a plethora of parks and museums to an incredible array of food options, the experiences available to my kids as they grow up are virtually limitless.
The cultural richness and diversity that the city offers are invaluable. The convenience it brings is unmatched. At this point, the idea of relocating to a small town or suburb seems unfathomable.
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In summary, raising children in New York City provides an unparalleled mix of opportunities, experiences, and cultural diversity that makes the challenges of city living worthwhile.
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