> It’s going to be an even bigger difference when the kid is older, and can walk around and take transit and engage with the city by himself, instead of being completely isolated and dependent and needing to be chauffeured and chaperoned by an adult on every trip.
This. I don't think most Americans realise how detrimental and significant this often-overlooked aspect of average middle American suburban life is.
Walking down an English high street with an intrepid 1 year old explorer was an eye opener for me.
(Translation: a high street is a main street in an English town. They're usually car-free.)
Every time my son bolted, I had a full 30 seconds of slack before having to chase him down because there was no risk of him being squished under a tire.
This. I don't think most Americans realise how detrimental and significant this often-overlooked aspect of average middle American suburban life is.