City childhoods vs. country childhoods...should we move?

[RoRoMommy]

I would like to hear people's experiences growing up, and/or bringing up their children, in the city and the country, and wonder if you could share thoughts/opinions/experiences that might help me weigh the pros and cons of each.

It would also be really helpful if anyone knows of nice country villages within an hour's train ride of the City that have good schools, a vibrant arts community, and decent entertainment/restaurant options.

Background: we live in the City. I grew up in the city. My husband grew up in various places, among them some rural areas where he was able to run around, climb trees, stay out at night without too much concern of foul play or danger, and generally was free to be a rambunctious, energetic little boy. I worry that my own rambunctious, energetic little boy mostly sees animals at the Hackney City Farm, trees that are planted in cement and bugs on Baby Einstein videos.

So I am thinking, maybe we should move out to the country? That said, we both have jobs in the City and this will not change to accomodate a country life. We'd have to be able to commute relatively quickly and easily.

I appreciate your thoughts (even if it's "stop worrying, he'll be fine in the city").

AnnieMac, that's the other thing. No neither I nor dh commute, though it's less than 20miles to nearest city. Our house had been converted so the basement is a separate flat and the garage is also a separate flat. We rent them out. I am disabled and get about £300pm dla and dh is a musician so goes out and gigs, and teaches at home.

We could afford this house by selling our old flat and my mum's. We can maintain it because the rents cover the utilities.

Parts of London within easy commute of the City have bigger open green spaces - e.g. Clapham, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Richmond, Hampstead etc. There you have easy access to the arts and he can easily go for walks in green areas. You can also make trips further afield at the weekend when you have more quality time to spend together. During the week when you are at work how much opportunity will he have to be outdoors anyway? Depends how old he is and who is looking after him of course.

oops, wrong thread - sorry guys, hope this hasn't confused you all!

Why not live on the edge of a large city?
When i was a kid i lived on the outskirts of Cardiff and had access to the countryside with lots of walks in the woods, only had to cross one road.
And then we had great bus routes that would take you into town and i literally had the best of both worlds!

Agree with Ripeberry, from reading this thread, I'm not sure a move from London to the country will suit you and your wish list. The price you'll pay for commute would offset benefits for the children. However, a good alternative if your jobs were movable is on the edges of a nice city. I live in a village that's only 15 mins into the centre of Bristol. great city, very vibrant but wonderful countryside and easy for the M5 down to the Devon/Cornwall coast. My dd gets access to lots of groups and activities whilst living round the corner from horses, sheep, cows, pigs and all other manner of wild and farm life!

I agree with those that say go for the best of both worlds - smaller towns and villages close to these towns. I live just outside Harrogate in North Yorkshire and consider it almost perfect - I am in what is classed as a village but its only 3 miles into Harrogate and theres a train station so easy to get in without the car. Leeds and York are both big centres for jobs and shopping and are respectively 16 and 21 miles away so definitely not in the middle of nowhere!

I'm in Edinburgh btw (I think someone asked)

We are quite rural - but on a commutor line to London. Best of both worlds, thugh v expensive.

Like Schneebly I enjoy living at the seaside, close to big green spaces, but near to two big cities. Don't often go to the cities, but always know they are there if needed, like when my friends and I like to treat ourselves to a night out, meals, or some art and culture.

I grew up in the city and country. DD has grown up so far in the country.

The country is all very well - until they are older & want to go out & about & the nearest cinema is 25 miles away, infrequent buses ... little if anything to do close by, hardly any public transport! I moved to the country at 12 & I would've preferred to stay in the town, but this is almost the middle of nowhere.

I can commute to London in 90 minutes, but that's a £6000 season ticket each year. So it's not necessarily going to be better for them if it's taking longer & costing more to commute.

I think Clapham & Wandsworth look lovely - loads of green. But even in central London you have a surprising amount of green.

I don't think that the town means a bad childhood & the country a good one. It's everything else as well that makes it! Also most children I know don't really get that much freedom despite being in the country - we still have people speeding along our 30mph main road for example.

both me and my dh grew up in london and when you are a child you know no different
we live in whats known as an urban village now its been created especially for famiilies who want the best of both world
we live in gloucestershire now and thats where we are raising our children
one way we have fields and greenery as far as the eye can see
or get a bus into the city which isnt large really but extremely cultural and arty really
in our "village" there is a purposebuilt eco school,they have animals on the premises and the children have to take turns in cleaning and helping out there
theres tennis courts and allotments and its so lovely here
everyone had to sign an agreement when buying these houses and there is no anti social behaviour here or drinking cider in bus stops
these areas are springing up all the time called urban lifestyle villages so country living with everything you want from a city too half an hour away
my sons have horse riding lessons and mix with the village hall funtions children perfectly
its a hard decision for you to make but def worth weighing up pro,s and cons

Wow, disneystar, that sounds great!

ljhooray, where do you live -- country village 15 mins from Bristol sounds like heaven! We looked in countryside close to Bristol but thought the drive in looked too nightmarish.

I can't imagine a village with decent restaurants and a vibrant arts community though I suppose they do exist. Maybe one of those hippy places in the West Country though you couldn't commute from there.