Bringing Up Baby ...in the 'Burbs

Bringing Up Baby...in the ‘Burbs

Contributed by Suburban Jungle Realty Group. Suburban Jungle Realty Group has offices in NYC, L.A., Miami, Chicago and San Francisco.

The city has some obvious pluses when it comes to child-rearing and, chances are, it’s the same aspects that attracted you to NYC in those pre-kid years. The arts, the culture, the food, the 24/7 access and the overall hum of an urban existence. It’s intoxicating whether you’re 22, 42 or 2.

But in the infant and young childhood years countless families pack it up and head to the suburbs to seek some unique advantages. What are the most common we hear? A backyard, great public schools and, above all, space, space, space. Many parents we work with want their kids to have a childhood that’s more similar to the ones they had -- and, chances are, that was a suburban upbringing.

So how does suburbia stack up to city life? Here are some side-by-sides we’ve discovered in moving our broods outside of city limits…

The Schools

While NYC has a host of incredible public, private, religious and specialized schools, there are thousands of amazing schools in the ‘burbs. Do your homework and you’ll wind up in a town that has A+ schools at every turn without the lotteries, applications, testing and other hoops city parents are accustomed to, starting in preschool. Just show up, show proof of residency and you’re in...easy as that!

The Space -- for LESS

NYC and the NYC suburbs are both expensive. That’s no surprise. In fact, a recent Market Watchreport named Manhattan the most expensive spot to raise a family...with Westchester and Long Island following right behind.

That said, in the suburbs you’ll get a lot more for a lot less. In the city a 3-bedroom is a luxury -- and a costly one. In the suburbs a 4-bedroom house is often the average size, with many homes boasting 5 or even 6 for what a Manhattan or Brooklyn family would pay for a sub-1000 square-foot abode. Looking at square footage it’s no contest. The average Westchester home is just under 2,500-square feet right now. Whereas the average Manhattan 2-bedroom is around 850-square feet.

The Backyard

In New York City, Central Park (or Prospect Park, Carl Schulz Park or Hudson River Park, etc.) is your “backyard,” but having a realbackyard is AMAZING. Picture it: your kids can have their own playscape versus battling it out on a crammed jungle gym. The sandbox isn’t always filled with who-knows-what from who-knows-who and you can relax a few feet away without losing sight of junior. It’s easy for everyone.

And, besides, if you do feel the pull towards a public playground or park, there are thousandsin the suburbs. Check out our roundup of some of the best!

At the end of the day the choice to go or stay is a huge and 100% personal one. At the Suburban Jungle Realty Group we often tell families that the suburbs aren’tfor everyone or, often, that a particular moment in time may not be the right one. If you’re still feeling the pull to stay put or if the pros of urban living don’t outweigh the pros of suburbia right now, then hang tight.Our Suburbs Strategists can help you reassess in 6 months or a year, explore cities outside of your initial hunt and savor city life. Maybe you’ll decide to go and maybe you won’t -- millions of kids will take their first steps, head to kindergarten and, ultimately, call NYC “home.” And millions will love their suburban upbringing, too!

No matter where you land, Suburban Jungle is here to help you navigate the urban-to-suburban waters. Start with our suburban questionnaire to help you start thinking about your next steps -- and, from there, the possibilities are endless!

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