If you choose the city route, you’ll need to brace for constant noise, serious space constraints and a hefty price tag to boot. The suburbs offer backyards, garages, driveways, and a lot more square footage. So why did we choose to stay in New York City to raise our daughter? How much time do you have? Here’s my list!
Why We’re Raising Kids in a City Vs. Moving to the Suburbs
nyc-1000345.jpgSoHo
1. We didn’t want to give up our community
“We’ve spent years building a life here. Our friends are here. Our favorite playgrounds are here. The thought of starting over in a new place felt more overwhelming than raising a kid in a city apartment.”
For me personally, the choice to stay in New York City is rooted in a strong sense of community. We know our neighbors, the local barista knows our coffee order, and our kid already has friends at the playground around the corner. That’s not something easily replicated in a new zip code.
The support systems built in early adulthood—your chosen family—often feel even more essential once kids come into the picture. Whether it’s shared childcare tips, meal drop-offs during hard weeks, or park meetups that turn into therapy sessions, having your people nearby counts for more than a driveway ever could.
nyc-1003065.jpgWilliamsburg
2. We love that our kid sees all kinds of people, every single day
“I grew up in a town where everyone looked like me. I want my kid to understand that the world is bigger than that.”
City life is filled with spontaneous moments of diversity: languages overheard on the subway, different holidays celebrated at school, a mix of faces and backgrounds on every block. In NYC, exposure to different cultures and ways of life isn’t something you have to schedule—it’s built into the fabric of daily life.
This kind of normalization of difference helps kids grow up more empathetic, curious, and open-minded. Parents choosing to raise their kids in the city often cite this as one of their top reasons. They want their children to understand that the world is broad and complex—and that everyone belongs.
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3. Everything is walkable, and we actually love not having a car
“Not dealing with car seats is a game changer. We walk everywhere, and our kid thinks the subway is an amusement park.”
One of the most surprising advantages of city life with children? Mobility. In New York, you don’t need to drive your kid to school, to the store, to the park, and then back home. You just walk. Or hop on the subway. Or grab a cab in a pinch. And you don’t have to wrangle a car seat every time.
For many parents, not owning a car means fewer errands and more spontaneous adventures. It also means your kid gets used to walking, seeing the world, and navigating public spaces with confidence. Bonus: you never have to budget for gas, insurance, or snow tires.
Caroline-1004287.jpgCentral Park Zoo · Midtown
4. There’s so much to do with kids here—most of it free
“There’s always something happening, from free concerts to museum programs to pop-up art exhibits. We never run out of things to explore.”
The sheer number of activities available to families in NYC is staggering. And a surprising amount of it is either free or low-cost. Libraries offer weekly storytimes, parks host concerts and movies, and many museums have suggested admission or designated free days.
Unlike in the suburbs, where entertainment often involves getting in a car and driving to one of a few limited options, NYC offers endless variety. From ferry rides to street fairs, the city becomes an extension of your living room—a much more exciting one.
home-1003261.jpg5. You don’t need as much stuff when you live in a smaller space
“I thought we’d be buried in toys and baby gear, but the opposite happened. We became super intentional about what we brought into the apartment.”
Small-space living gets a bad rap when it comes to raising kids. But many city parents say it actually simplifies things. With limited storage, you buy less, rely on fewer gadgets, and get creative with how you use the space you have.
Instead of filling a playroom, you rotate toys on a shelf. Instead of buying a backyard trampoline, you go to the park. And instead of worrying about the perfect nursery setup, you find that babies mostly just want to be where you are anyway.
If interested, you can read my guide on Raising a Baby in a Small NYC Apartment.
NYC-1004549.jpgWall Street Station · Financial District
6. We wanted our kids to grow up a little independent
“Our kid walks to school with friends and knows how to ask for help if he needs it. She knows how to read a subway map. That wouldn’t be the case if we lived in the suburbs.”
City kids develop a certain confidence early on. They learn to navigate crowds, make eye contact, ask questions, and solve small problems. It’s not that they grow up faster, but that they grow up observant and engaged.
This kind of independence can be hard to foster in places where kids are chauffeured from place to place and rarely left to figure things out on their own. In New York, life encourages problem-solving in age-appropriate, everyday ways.
East-Village-1003995.jpgEast Village
7. We didn’t want to give up our careers
“Both of us work in creative industries, and moving to the suburbs would’ve meant long commutes or giving up our jobs. We weren’t ready to do that.”
Logistics matter. For many families, staying in New York isn’t just about values or preferences—it’s about practicality. Their jobs are here. Their networks are here. And trying to maintain a dual-career household with a long commute from the suburbs just wouldn’t work.
While the city certainly comes with its own set of career-kid juggle struggles, living close to work can offer more flexibility. You might be able to do daycare pickup, attend a school performance at lunch, or just get home before bedtime—things that become harder the further you live from the city.
NYC-01629.jpgGreenwich Village
8. We weren’t ready to leave the energy of the city behind
“We love the buzz of the city, and we didn’t want to give that up when we had kids. The energy of NYC doesn’t disappear when you become a parent—it just changes shape.”
There’s something about the pace, culture, and momentum of city life that many people simply love. And having kids doesn’t mean you have to give that up. You can still see live music, discover new food, meet interesting people—just with a stroller in tow.
Many parents say they feel more alive and connected in New York than they ever would elsewhere. They want to share that feeling with their children. Not every outing has to be epic—sometimes it’s just grabbing a bagel and watching the world go by—but the spark is still there.
NYC-1004656.jpgBrooklyn Bridge Park · Brooklyn Heights
Final Thoughts: Why NYC Was the Right Choice for Us
Choosing where to raise your kids is deeply personal, and what works for one family might not for another. But for many parents, New York City offers more than just convenience—it offers connection, culture, and a sense of purpose.
Yes, space is tight. Yes, everything costs more. But there’s also a richness to city life that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. The experiences, the people, the perspective—it all adds up to something bigger. We can’t get enough, we love it here!
Cheers!
Antonina