Best City/Region in the World for Kids

Just Curious. If money were not necessarily an issue, where do you think the best place to raise children would be and why?

I liked Grass Valley - N. San Juan area in the Sierra Nevada foothills for access to wilderness, kind hippie folk, proximity to larger urban center (sacramento), close to snow, and if money where an issue, a somewhat affordable cost of living.

 

San Francisco, but I'm biased. I've mentioned my wish to live there before. But it's supposed to be one of the safer cities to raise children in.

 

I have thought that too, but still it is hard to let your (younger) kids run around the city with all of the cars, trains, etc. But there are nice parts to raise kids. I was also thinking of Pacifica, on the beach, 10 mins south of SF. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

 

I'm blessed, because we already live in the best place for no only kids, but adults too. We live just outside of Sun Peaks Resort. It's a small village of funky, open minded people from all over the world. Everyone knows each other and we all look out for one another. I've been able to let my daughter walk around alone since she was 6, because it's so safe here. We have all sorts of amenities: cross country and downhill skiing, mountain biking, hiking, golf, tennis, swimming, fishing, concerts and festivals. We're only 30 minutes from a decent sized city for shopping, movies, live theater, concerts, zoos, etc. We are currently about 15 minutes away from the resort, living in a cabin on 5 acres. So we have the best of all worlds; play at the resort, relax in our country home, and shop in the big city.

 

mmmm. that's exactly what im talking about. where are more of these small, seldom heard of, mountain towns?!

Here in Germany it is also very very safe for our children. I love being able to let them walk and explore anywhere they like without having to worry much. However, I am thinking about coming back to the Americas sometime soon, and I am trying to find an area like that mtnhighgirl. Thanks for your post!

 

i swear the best region to raise your cuties is Nürnberg!!!

 

Nah, too easy to get lost.

 

i will talk on a cassette for you *the next cross-way to the left... the next red traffic lights please stop...* ... it will be working, trust me! so now all arguments are disproved!

 

Does Nürnberg even have kids? I know Playmobil and Legoland (which is being sold off) are nearby, but what else is there to do? I mean really. They'd be lost and bored. . Oh, and those directions won't work during the summer. Too many detours in Germany.

 

anywhere in the world?
I love New Zealand. It has cities that still feel small enough to be personal, and they are relativley safe (compared to the rest of the world anyway). But they still have bucket loads of culture (and not just stuff related to Lord of The Rings). And the cost of living isn't that high either.

also nature is always close by, whether its national parks, the beach (the furthest you can get from the beach is about a 40min drive), and the four main centres are all built by harbours. We also have heaps of lakes, mountains and so on.

think that it's geneally a place where kids can still be kids...bike to school, spend holidays down by the beach building sandcastles, just be laid back...It may not be AS relaxed as it once was, but nowhere is, so yep, i'm biased towards NZ and proud of it



there is a good, free school system, and the schools are pretty safe too.

 

I have heard absolutely incredible things about New Zealand. I hear it is very similar in climate and culture to Northern California, especially Santa Cruz. Sounds like a great place for kids!

 

Where I live right now. Burlington, Vermont, USA. Great Schools, low crime rate, the best pre-natal care in the country, culture, paradise for outdoor activities. Just a great community all around. People really look out for one another here.

 

Out of everywhere ive been i would have to say vermont. i would never raise kids where i live i think its abuse to have children grow up here, especially for girls

 

How large is Burlington? Or, better yet, how big does it feel? Is it expesive? Can kids walk themselves home from school? What about other communities in Vermont. I heard Johnson is nice also.

 

Burlington is the largest 'city' in Vermont. It has a population of about 40,000. Chittenden county that is in has a population of 150,000. Kids can indeed walk themselves home from school without any concerns.

Johnson is a nice quaint hippy town with a small college in it.

The only reason why I suggest Burlington or Chittenden County for that matter is that because it is the largest 'city' there are the most jobs here. It is more difficult to make a living in other parts of the state.

 

sata cruz has some issues. if youre looking worldwide widness england is a very nice town and kinda close to manchester which has really good shopping god damn i want to go to england.

 

hm... do they need big attractions that they won`t get bored? i raised in Germany, too and I never was bored. I had other kids and nature!

btw. you know why i want you to raise your kids in Nürnberg! SF is too far away

hey and look at this:

 

Haha... I'd definately like to pick somewhere like Bali or the Virgin Islands. I know people who say the AVIs are a very non-stressful place and they have good charter and private schools. Homeschooling is a great option, as well, and I would think parents could have a nice hands-on experience...

Limited to the US, I'd have to say somewhere like Santa Cruz, CA...

I live in Eastern Virginia. Definately not a very good place for your children. Hampton Roads, south of me, is a bad area. Schools aren't that great and around smaller towns, there's quite a bit of overcrowding. I would say the Blue Ridge Mountains are a much nicer place to live if I was limited to staying in Virginia, where I live now.

Coastal North Carolina is pretty good, though. I have some friends who go to the K-12 school on Hatteras Island.

 

I know Santa Cruz has some issues. I am not necessarily oppossed to raising my children in an environment with "issues", as all communities have em. I think it is important to weigh those issues against their advantages. In the case of Santa Cruz, you have lots of GOOD people (lots of bad people too), abundant nature, beaches, youth activities, university, proximity to the SF Bay Area, etc. It is a healthy balance. Plus, for me, it is close to my family in SF area.

 

My husband is about to take a traveling job where we wil be placed in different towns/cities across the U.S. for at least 3 months. We are hoping to go to San Francisco first (for 6-12 months) and during that time have a baby. Glad to hear that it is safe for children but we won't be staying there for long. We are gonna check out other areas to see what we like before we settle down. I visited Burlington, Vermont about 8 years ago and really liked it. We are hoping to hit up New England, especially Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Anyone have any suggestions for these areas? I was born in New Hampshire and used to live in Maine but it's been awhile. Also does anyone have any advice for families that move alot, seeing that we will be doing that for the first couple of years during and after our baby is born.