This morning, my partner texted me in a frenzy because she couldn’t locate her membership card for the Staten Island Children’s Museum, which she planned to visit with our kids. Later, she sent me a picture of our 7-month-old attempting to gnaw on a filthy toy, the adorable little goof. I couldn’t resist sending a cheeky reply, teasing my son while also asking which museum she ended up at, knowing full well she hadn’t found that card.
But honestly, it didn’t even matter.
As it turns out, she took our little crew to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum instead. She had her heart set on Staten Island but could only find her card for the science museum in Queens (which, let’s face it, is pretty much a children’s museum too). Meanwhile, my son was yearning to revisit the Museum of Natural History for the fifth time or perhaps head back to the NY Transit Museum for the fiftieth time—or even make a pit stop at that science museum in New Jersey where we once spotted R2D2. All of these places are less than an hour from our Brooklyn home.
Her choices felt nearly endless.
Last weekend, we hopped on a ferry to Governor’s Island so our 5-year-old could enjoy the newly built slide park. Afterward, we took the ferry back and relaxed at Brooklyn Bridge Park for a bit, but on our way home, we had to pry our son away from the three playgrounds we passed en route to our apartment.
This variety is exactly why we love living in the city.
A few years ago, we made the classic move out of the bustling metropolis for the same reasons many do: the cost of living is sky-high, space is limited, and the crowds can be overwhelming. But after spending a year and a half in the South, we returned—issues and all. Yes, living in the city is pricey, and buying a house here is likely a distant dream. We attempted to downsize by relocating to Raleigh, which is labeled a city, but with its lack of a true downtown and limited public transport, it didn’t feel like one. I’m not bashing Raleigh; we have wonderful friends there and enjoy our annual visits. But despite our desire for more space and less expense, it just wasn’t for us.
Both my partner and I grew up in rural or suburban areas—I’m from Connecticut’s suburbs while she hails from the countryside of Pennsylvania. Raising our kids in the city is a far cry from our own childhoods, and I never envisioned this reality. Naturally, I have my reservations. I’m still grappling with the thought of our kids taking the subway to high school, and it’ll always sting a bit that they won’t have the chance to ride dirt bikes down wooded trails. But every situation comes with trade-offs. For every experience they might miss, they’ll gain something unique in return.
We may not have a sprawling yard (and we’re lucky to have the tiny patch we do), but there are plenty of parks and green spaces nearby. Space is overrated anyway, and the convenience of having everything we need within reach is unparalleled. From endless parks and museums to a culinary world tour right around the corner, my kids are bound to have an incredible array of experiences as they grow.
The culture and diversity this city offers are invaluable. The convenience is unmatched. At this point, the idea of moving back to a small town or suburb is simply unimaginable.
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Summary: Raising kids in New York City offers unparalleled experiences, cultural diversity, and convenience, making it difficult to imagine life anywhere else. While space may be limited, the abundance of parks, museums, and attractions ensures that children can enjoy a rich upbringing filled with unique opportunities.