8 Real Moms on Relocating to the ’Burbs Versus Staying in the City

The Mom of Two Who Traded Brooklyn for a Yard

Best Part: “I love coming home to a house and being able to send the boys (who are 3 and 5) out back to play. We also have great neighbors—something we were not accustomed to in Brooklyn.”

Worst Part: “I do miss the casual acquaintances that come in a city setting—the people you always see at the playground or the colorful character you pass on the same street corner.” 

The Mom Who Wanted Better Schools

Best Part: “Our plan is to send our daughter to public school and, unfortunately, that’s not a great option in our city, so the ’burbs won out.”

Worst Part: “I really miss living in a building with a trash chute and where, if anything went wrong, I just called the super.” 

The Mom Who Went Looking for Calm and Quiet

Best Part: “For us, it’s about having a calm environment for our daughter who’s now six months. We don’t have any noisy neighbors to worry about or any elevators or flights of stairs.”

Worst Part: “It might be in my head, but it always feels like friends in cities have an easier time making playdates. Living in the ’burbs can feel like it requires a real effort to make plans on weekends.” 

The Mom of Three Who Needed Parking

Best Part: “We now have three kids and we’re always so happy that loading and unloading the car so close to our front door is guaranteed.”

Worst Part: “I can’t think of one—we opted to live close enough to a city that we can still enjoy it without feeling stifled by it.”

The Mom Who Put Education and Culture First

Best Part: “My daughter is now 15 years old and, call me a snob, but I love that she is exposed to all the city has to offer. She’s getting an amazing education at a private school here and is more savvy and sophisticated than a kid from the burbs.”

Worst Part: “I do long for a tree and a hammock, but we will get there someday. Once she is in college, we’re outta here.”

The Mom Who Wanted an Easy Commute

Best Part: “We are new parents, both working long hours, so being able to quickly commute to work and continue to maintain our social life was a priority.”

Worst Part: “As we add to our family, having a home with more space will be key.”

The Mom of Two Who Felt Diversity Was Important

Best Part: “There are 18 different languages spoken at our local elementary school!”

Worst Part: “The parking. Pretty sure my son’s first sentence was ‘Is it alternate side day?’”

The Mom of Two Who Loves the Sense of Community

Best Part: “There are so many parks and libraries and activities nearby, so there is never a shortage of things to do. I love being able to walk to so many places and have a sense of community in the places we frequent.”

Worst Part: “Ugh, the lack of square footage and no real backyard.”