Where would you like to have grown up, place A or place B? (House move related)

[Coffeeandbourbons]

2 kids, 3 and newborn. Looking to move and due to office locations we have 2 options.

Option 1 - large, exciting, vibrant city. I lived here for 10 years and adored it, I have a good social life there but the downside is it’s very expensive (so house would be smaller and a bit crapper), and it’s not overly ‘green’ - nor is the surrounding countryside particularly remarkable. Kids don’t have a particularly outdoorsy life, it’s more about indoor activities. Schools are hit and miss some are very run down.

Option 2 - much smaller, less exciting City. Still nice, but a little Brexit-land and monocultural. Cheaper so could afford a better house and some holidays, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside and close to amazing beaches. I don’t really have any friends there so would be starting again. Schools better.

YANBU - Option 1
YABU - Option 2

As you can tell I can’t make my mind up! Thanks all.

If option 1 has good public transport, so teens could get around easily, then I’d probably have preferred option 1, depending on the schools. If not, then option 2.

Other than schools, I don’t think it makes a huge difference to kids until they’re secondary age. Young kids tend to be fine with what they have (for the most part) if you are happy with it and make the best of it. A caveat would be if they have a particular talent for something, in which case wherever they can get the best opportunities for that talent (which is most likely option 1, but not always). Teens tend to want and benefit from opportunities and independence.