Where do you think the most idyllic place to raise children is?

[Idyllically]

Can be anywhere in the world!

Was just discussing this with a friend today! I don’t think I’m well-travelled enough to say. But I always imagined somewhere with mild / warm weather with a big outdoor culture!

Where do you think?

I grew up in the Highlands of Scotland and we raised our children here. All have really happy memories of growing up very rurally, swimming in lochs, picnics in all weathers, lots of walking and skiing in winter.

I think where our DC grew up is pretty idyllic. London/Surrey borders, so they had miles of muddy walks, hills, places to ride bikes, climb trees, build dens etc but a short train ride into London gave them museums, galleries, theatres, buskers, mudlarking, restaurants and markets. Best of both worlds.

As my username suggests, my perfect place to raise a child is the Surrey Hills. There are lots of families living here and lots of children to play with. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside and it’s only 40 mins to a lovely beach. Despite living in such a bucolic location, it’s only an hour to London.

Great for an outdoorsy lifestyle, there is so much to do, even when the weather isn’t great. Crime rates are very low and it’s very clean. MN always say don’t live rurally if you have kids, they will grow to hate you as will be bored teenagers. However, when I look around me, all I see are happy kids, living an idyllic lifestyle. I was bought up nearby to here and had a dream childhood and when I became a teenager, I hopped on the train to London for my city fix. I lived there for 20 years but when I decided to have a family, there was only one place I knew I would be happy bringing up children, so I moved back and can’t wait to raise my family here, amongst beautiful scenery, peace and wildlife. I feel v grateful to my parents for bringing me up in such a wonderful place, how could I possibly resent them!

Sounds like you need

• some friendly people (local kids, relatives nearby, shopkeepers you know)
• some quiet outdoor space (for when you want it)
• some freedom to be out enjoying these things with your family/later on your own or with friends
• a loving and supportive home

Also it's worth saying that parents have so much power to make places nicer/less nice to live in. I grew up far from towns but had a brilliant social life as my parents thought it was part of their job to make sure we could get out and see friends/do activities. I know people who grew up in idyllic villages and even inner cities who were cut-off as their parents didn't let them go out to anything, let alone take them.

Finland. As a nation, it is generally regarded as having high levels of contentment. It's beautiful, lots of outdoor pursuits on hand. And it's education system seems to be highly regarded, with its emphasis on personalised learning, not much in the way of standardised testing, minimal homework. Teachers seem also to have quite a lot of autonomy. Not, of course, perfect, to state the obvious.

In many ways I did. Grandparents lived on a beach slipway and we lived close by. Spent many holidays taking trippers out in my Grandads boat, bringing in pots, and selling fish locally. Other times I'd spend time at the beach with my mates and we were reasonably free and safe to play out until the sun went down.

As I got older there was plenty of work for young people to do. Chambermaiding, cafes, and restaurants. Gave us a good worth ethic and a bit of money in our pocket.

However, my school was dire. I had to work very, very, hard to reach my potential which I think I have done. Most of that was thanks to the college I went to not the school. I don't think I was academic enough to have done anymore than I did.

The issues with schools in the more idyllic places is they tend to lack aspiration, assuming everyone will want to stay around and live lives like their parents, forgetting things never are exactly the same for the next generation because life moves on.

Re Finland - I had a friend who lived there for many years. She said it has a high depression and suicide rate due to lack of light? I've always assumed it true, as she lived there. Is it not?

Nutwood.😁😁

Switzerland - peaceful and outdoorsy.

Five-year olds go to school by themselves and go home for lunch, so 4 journeys. I was flabbergasted to see them on a bike path in Lucerne adjacent to a busy A-type road, pedalling along no adult in sight!

@sjxoxo

We live in a village in Normandy; 45 mins to the coast, 10 mins to city, 60 mins to Paris. It’s got woods, the river Seine & a free ferry crossing service, farm animals (including a llama who is a residents’ favourite!) that keep the village greenery in check- part of an ‘eco village’ programme, play park, allotments, communal fruit trees along a cycle path that runs the length of the village. I feel like we are permanently on holiday here & it’s the perfect setting for kids & a relaxed family life. The cherry blossom trees are out now all over the village and in the spring sunshine and it’s heavenly x

Sounds heavenly!

@Kezzie200

Re Finland - I had a friend who lived there for many years. She said it has a high depression and suicide rate due to lack of light? I've always assumed it true, as she lived there. Is it not?

It certainly did have quite a high suicide rate but they seem successfully to have worked on that. I think it's a rather out dated perception.

This is a very interesting listen on Finland. It sent me down no end of rabbit holes www.cheerfulpodcast.com/rtbc-episodes/learning-from-the-worlds-happiest-country

I think where we live now is perfect for us to raise our children, it’s why we moved here. We’re right by a beautiful river with a path perfect for scooters, cycling, walking etc. There’s water sports on the river and we can hire paddle boards, kayaks, small boats etc. We’re 20 mins walk to a beautiful beach where we spend many evenings in the summer. We have 4 playgrounds within walking distance and are on the edge of beautiful countryside. Good schools in safe town. Some small shops, lots of cafes for ice creams, child friendly pubs and restaurants. Short train or drive into a city if we want it. We’re very happy here and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else (South coast, England).
Of course what’s perfect to us won’t be for others.