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| My latest diagram trying to parse out all of the interrelated issues affecting where families decide to live with their children, if they have a choice. |
One of the things I heard repeatedly in my interviews with wavering-urban or urban-turned-suburban parents regarding their decision to move out of the city with their kids was that it wasn't one big issue that caused them to leave. It was "all the little things" that add up. Sure, living car-free 90% of the time is great. Sure all the cultural amenities are wonderful and the diversity of the city is enriching. Sure the convenience of being close to work and having a short commute is great. But the little annoyances and concerns add up to be too much. The call of the suburban lifestyle seems easier. But is it?
For parents with some degree of choice in deciding where to live with their children, (and no, that does not automatically mean only the wealthy) this diagram hopes to separate out the key issues that they confront.
In no particularl order, the major categories include:
- Housing
- Education
- Neighborhood
- Mobility
- Family Preferences
- Recreation Options
- Cost of Living (instegral to all categories, but worthy of its own as well)
- Services, and
- Amenities
I'll tease out some of the exact comments from interviews shortly. As always, this is a work in progress and I welcome your comments!
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