10 Reasons Why NYC Is A Great Place To Have Kids

Katherine Ripley • April 15, 2016

The story goes like this: You meet your soulmate in the city, you get married, then you move to the burbs to raise your kids. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s no reason why you can’t raise your kids in the city. In fact, here are 10 reasons why you should:

1. You won’t have to buy a minivan

Minivans are something you purchase out of necessity. Nobody really wants one. But when you live in a city where public transit is way more convenient than driving, you’ll never have to embarrass yourself by buying a minivan. Plus your kids can ride for free until they’re too big to walk under the turnstile.

2. The city will mow your lawn

People move to the suburbs because they think their kids need a front yard to play in. But when you live in NYC, the parks are your front yard.

3. You can always keep your kids occupied

They say that if you’re bored in New York, it’s your own fault. Your kids will never be able to whine to you about how bored they are when there are a million things you can do with them every day.

4. They’ll be smart

With all those trips to the Museum of Natural History, they’ll be reciting all the dinosaurs in alphabetical order by the time they’re three.

5. They’ll be cultured

They might not understand the Met, but you can still take them there.

6. They won’t be picky eaters (hopefully)

This one isn’t a guarantee, but you can at least encourage them to try food from all around the world without ever having to leave the city.

7. They’ll grow up in a diverse environment

This is one of the most diverse cities on the planet. If you want your kid to grow up surrounded by people of all different races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, (maybe not political beliefs), sexualities, and gender identities, this is the place to do it.

8. They’ll feel free to express themselves

By extension, your kid will always feel free to be whoever he/she/they wants to be in this city. Here, weird is normal, so nothing is weird.

9. They’ll know how to be independent

This city teaches you how to be self-reliant. Keeping yourself busy, motivating yourself, and getting yourself home are all important life skills. And New York City teaches all of them.

10. They’ll be tough cookies

Kids who grow up here know how to take care of themselves and take whatever life throws at them. When it’s time for them to go off on their own, the learning curve won’t be nearly as steep.

Cover photo credit: myklsc/Flickr