With kids on the way, is it time to leave city life behind?

After many years of living in the heart of the city, that fateful chapter of your life has finally arrived. You’ve got the job, the partner, and now finally, the children. Some of your best memories come from the excitement of being in the action, and you might be asking yourself if you’re ready to leave it all behind, or if you can raise children in the city. 

We go over the pros and cons to each side so that when it comes time to upgrade for a larger home, you can easily know you made the right decision.

Pros of raising children in the city

1) A wide range of experiences and diversity

A group of culturally and financially diverse neighbours will allow your child to be exposed to stimulating concepts and realities. This will shape who they grow up to be and how they relate to differences around them.

2) Greater opportunity for independence

Greater availability of public transportation and increased walkability means that your child will find a sense of independence sooner, without relying on cars or parents.

3) Groceries are less expensive than in the suburbs

Believe it or not, but groceries are actually cheaper in the city than in the suburbs. Competition between city grocers large and small has driven down the average cost on your overall bill.

Cons of raising children in the city

1) More street level crime

Street level crime, such as robbery and assault, is more prevalent in metropolitan hubs. That being said, Toronto was recently rated one of the safest cities in the world!

2) Lack of private outdoor space

Personal outdoor spaces come at a premium in the city and are often a luxury that is only afforded by those who live in full-size homes rather than condos. For many people, a walkout balcony is their only private outdoor space.

3) Greater congestion with a larger family

A growing family means a growing amount of clutter. Many families look for more liveable square footage than what is readily available in the city, which leads the search to the suburbs where homes are typically larger.

Pros of raising children in the suburbs

1) Greater sense of community

The suburbs are often made up of families just like yours, and as a result, your neighbours will most likely also have young children. This will make it easier for your child to grow up with a group of friends that they can see often.

2) Less crowded classrooms

Class sizes are marginally smaller in the suburbs due to decreased population density, which means your child will likely have a more interpersonal relationship with their educators.

3) More overall space to be able to play indoors and outdoors

One of the main factors many young families look to move out to the suburbs is because of the size of the homes. On average, homes tend to be larger in the suburbs, which is perfect for those looking to get the most liveable space for their dollar.

Cons of raising children in the suburbs

1) Less diversity

Residents of suburbs often come from similar socioeconomic backgrounds and a narrow set of demographics. Children will often not exposed to cultures and lifestyles outside of their own.

2) Longer commutes

Whether it is to get to school, drive to sports practice, or even to drop off at a friend’s house, the suburbs is generally more spread out. Sprawling suburbs mean that more time will be spent in the car getting to get to the destination.

3) Less available transportation options

Cities feature a range of transportation options such as subway, streetcars and public bicycles, and unfortunately the suburbs often do not. A lack of public transportation options give rise to other things to consider like increased risk of automobile accidents and incurred costs like gas and insurance.

As you can see, both options present their own unique benefits and downfalls. Every family is different, and as a result, will require different things from their home and neighbourhood to suit their lifestyle. If you have children, or are looking to start a family, have you given any thought to where you might live to raise them? Be sure to let me know your thoughts below!