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magpie1127
member
Tell me about your experience parenting in the city..
magpie1127
member
Hi Ladies,
DH and I are not TTC yet, but we think we want to do so within the next year or so. We currently live in Wicker Park, and would probably try to find an apartment in Ravenswood/Andersonville/Lincoln Square or Roscoe Village/North Center if we start TTC. My question is this: if you have a LO and live in the city, how do you like the experience you're getting? We are NOT suburban people. In a perfect world, we would raise our family in a slightly smaller, more familyfriendly city like Madison, Nashville, Ann Arbor, etc. But while we are in the Chicago area, we want to stay in the city. We aren't planning on buying a place. though we could afford to, we simply aren't sure we want to "settle down" in Chicago. Have you found that there are lots of playgroups/families in your area? I'm assuming that it's easy to find good pediatricians in a city of 3 million, but have you experienced otherwise? I enjoy being carfree. Do you find the CTA to be kidfriendly most of the time? How about the Chicago park district, or community gardens? Childcare? I'd probably be a SAHM anyway, but its good to know just in case. Any other info you'd like to share? Thanks in advance! Also, sorry in advance for any typos mobile bumping.
DH and I are not TTC yet, but we think we want to do so within the next year or so. We currently live in Wicker Park, and would probably try to find an apartment in Ravenswood/Andersonville/Lincoln Square or Roscoe Village/North Center if we start TTC. My question is this: if you have a LO and live in the city, how do you like the experience you're getting? We are NOT suburban people. In a perfect world, we would raise our family in a slightly smaller, more familyfriendly city like Madison, Nashville, Ann Arbor, etc. But while we are in the Chicago area, we want to stay in the city. We aren't planning on buying a place. though we could afford to, we simply aren't sure we want to "settle down" in Chicago. Have you found that there are lots of playgroups/families in your area? I'm assuming that it's easy to find good pediatricians in a city of 3 million, but have you experienced otherwise? I enjoy being carfree. Do you find the CTA to be kidfriendly most of the time? How about the Chicago park district, or community gardens? Childcare? I'd probably be a SAHM anyway, but its good to know just in case. Any other info you'd like to share? Thanks in advance! Also, sorry in advance for any typos mobile bumping.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Tell me about your experience parenting in the city..
Personally, I love parenting in the city. Everything is within walking distance. Private school, CPS school, park with playground, grocery store, two daycare centers are all within a three block radius. And if we go just a little bit further we got a dance studio and karate center. We live in the Portage Park area and this more of a family neighborhood. I would say that CTA is kid friendly but not baby friendly. It can be quite a task taking a stroller on the bus. CTA just started a rule, actually, about forcing moms to break down their strollers while riding on the buses and trains. Sounds easy enough but hard to do while holding a baby and diaper bag at the same time (while the bus is moving no less). And good luck getting people to give up their seats for you and baby should you get caught in rush hour.
I also grew up in the city. There are definitely special rules and safety precautions for teens and tweens in the city. I remember my mom having a talk with me about certain people to avoid. And I remember seeing a lot of weirdos on the bus and while walking to and from school. But IMO it makes kids more aware of their surroundings and teaches them to be cautious.