I think the American demand for affluent family apartment/downtown living is low. I'm not saying that people can't raise kids in an apartment in a big city. Th

I think the American demand for affluent family apartment/downtown living is low. I'm not saying that people can't raise kids in an apartment in a big city. They certainly can and do. Particularly when there are few financially viable options not to. I lived in a city in a high-rise apartment until we had kids, then we left because we could. I loved the city, I loved being able to walk to anything I wanted see or do. I did not love being mugged. I did not love being randomly assaulted. Both happened multiple times and I'm six three with an athletic build. My best friend was stabbed in the neck in his elevator in an exclusive building with a doorman and security. He lived thank god, but I would never let my kids play unattended in any city park. He and his wife who are medical professionals also left the city to raise their kids. He lived within easy walking distance the the hospital he worked at and I understand why they left. So from my perspective, there are no affluent family apartments because families who can afford to move mostly do so because there are usually appalling poor schooling choices and the environment seems ludicrously dangerous at least compared to where we live now. I'm sure people will downvote me for contributing to urban decay sub-urban sprawl but I'm guessing that most people who feel we should have stayed are young and childless like we were when we loved the city and hated the idea of owning a car.