Funny you say that because that’s just where we moved from, and we’ve chosen to raise our kids here…not because we have some sort of strong philosophical preference for the west coast, but because we found this area to be a very comfortable, fun, outdoorsy place to be. Since we knew we’d always want to spend significant time in both places, it basically came down to the fact that, for now, we’d rather live here and travel to there a few times a year than the other way around.
Also, we were pretty burnt out on the go-go-go work life of NYC, which can definitely take its toll. In comparison, we felt like we could live a healthier life here because we get to spend more active time outdoors. I guess these decisions depend a lot on one’s perspective and stage in life, and there are always tradeoffs.
And, believe me, having grown up there, for most people, the comfortable suburb outside NYC ends up being your own little bubble, with most families taking forays into the city for shows or various special occasions, always meaning to go in more often but somehow never getting around to it. Once they have families, no matter their intentions, very few end up taking advantage of all that cultural diversity on a consistent basis. Most adults work in the city, but then commute back home to the suburbs.
Anyway, I see advantages/disadvantages to raising kids on either coast, and think it’s important to expose them to all kinds of people and cultures no matter where they grow up. Also – never mind the kids! – for my own sanity, I need to expose myself to all kinds of peoples and cultures.
