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It all depends on where you live Maarten. I'm from Holland. Moved to a 'burb' three years ago after nearly 20 years in NYC. We picked a town where some of the t

It all depends on where you live Maarten. I'm from Holland. Moved to a 'burb' three years ago after nearly 20 years in NYC. We picked a town where some of the things you mention are still a reality (spontaneous play, kids walk to school in groups, biking is difficult because... hills). Meanwhile, I know that the situation you sketch isn't the reality anymore in large parts of Holland either (many more cars, fewer new developments, not enough kids, many old people). The article brings up many good points, but the suburb outlined in the article describes a very specific kind. Having lived in a metropolitan US area for 19 years, I relish the lack of noise, the extra space (1 acre) and suburban life in general. PS It's a little disingenuous to mention the bus/snow situation. Snow days here (5 max) are rare and typically well-warranted. You really cannot compare a 5cm "snowstorm" in The Netherlands with the 1+ feet (40cm) that fell overnight last winter.

Maarten88 10y ago
I'm sure the suburb you live in is much nicer than the suburbs pictured in the article. My friends' neighborhood certainly is. I think the US standard of living, if you're privileged enough to be able to afford it, is very high. Still, if your house is on an acre of area, that must have consequences. It makes infrastructure more expensive and increases distances. Do the roads in your neighborhood have walkways? How many college/middle schools can your kids choose from? Is there community life / sports clubs / shopping / restaurants other than pizza and burgers reachable without car? I mentioned the bus/snow situation because my friend told me the school had closed for something like 20 days last year and had to extend classes into summer to make up the time. And both of us have fond memories biking to school for 10km in -admittedly Dutch- snowstorms, having fun. The US attitude towards risk still feels silly to me.
- notlisted 10y ago
  The funny thing is that monthly living expenses (mortage + taxes) are less than our tiny apartment in NYC. Schools are great, which is why we moved, and cheap in context (compare $16k/yr in taxes to $36k+/yr for a 6yo in NYC private school). Roads do have more potholes than I'd like, indeed expensive to fix/maintain. We do have walkways (this is not Atlanta/Midwest). One middle school, one high school, colleges are elsewhere (ie plenty). Loads of community/sports stuff (too much). Shopping nearby, but some requires a car (you get used to it). Note: it's actually a myth that the burbs have bad food (at least in relatively wealthy towns on the East Coast). Better than anything offered in my old home town in Holland (I do miss my 'patatje oorlog'). Obviously happy as a clam here. Don't think I could ever get used to living right next to my neighbors again ('rijtjeshuis') Totally agree with you on the perception of risk. It's a shame. It wasn't always like that. I blame cell phones and helicopter parents. PS I don't miss biking 10km in my rain suit (regenpak) Gezamenlijk afzien? ;-)

Maarten88 10y ago

I'm sure the suburb you live in is much nicer than the suburbs pictured in the article. My friends' neighborhood certainly is. I think the US standard of living, if you're privileged enough to be able to afford it, is very high. Still, if your house is on an acre of area, that must have consequences. It makes infrastructure more expensive and increases distances. Do the roads in your neighborhood have walkways? How many college/middle schools can your kids choose from? Is there community life / sports clubs / shopping / restaurants other than pizza and burgers reachable without car? I mentioned the bus/snow situation because my friend told me the school had closed for something like 20 days last year and had to extend classes into summer to make up the time. And both of us have fond memories biking to school for 10km in -admittedly Dutch- snowstorms, having fun. The US attitude towards risk still feels silly to me.

notlisted 10y ago
The funny thing is that monthly living expenses (mortage + taxes) are less than our tiny apartment in NYC. Schools are great, which is why we moved, and cheap in context (compare $16k/yr in taxes to $36k+/yr for a 6yo in NYC private school). Roads do have more potholes than I'd like, indeed expensive to fix/maintain. We do have walkways (this is not Atlanta/Midwest). One middle school, one high school, colleges are elsewhere (ie plenty). Loads of community/sports stuff (too much). Shopping nearby, but some requires a car (you get used to it). Note: it's actually a myth that the burbs have bad food (at least in relatively wealthy towns on the East Coast). Better than anything offered in my old home town in Holland (I do miss my 'patatje oorlog'). Obviously happy as a clam here. Don't think I could ever get used to living right next to my neighbors again ('rijtjeshuis') Totally agree with you on the perception of risk. It's a shame. It wasn't always like that. I blame cell phones and helicopter parents. PS I don't miss biking 10km in my rain suit (regenpak) Gezamenlijk afzien? ;-)