Raising kids in NYC: What you need to know

If you’re trying to raise your kids in an urban jungle like NYC in a wise and responsible way, you’ll certainly face some challenges. As modern psychology teaches us, we don’t develop our personalities only within our families. The social impulses of the society that surrounds us are just as important. Therefore, as a parent who’s focused on doing the best job possible, parenthood-wise, choosing the right place to live is half the puzzle. If you want to raise your kids in a stimulating, multicultural environment, hire the Best Movers NYC you can find and relocate to Big Apple. Meanwhile, to help you decide whether raising kids in NYC is worth it, here’s what you should keep in mind!

The advantages and disadvantages of raising kids in NYC

The great thing about living with your family in one of the more densely populated boroughs of NYC is that everything is very close. Pediatricians, drugstores, and hospitals, as well as parks, indoor playgrounds, and daycares, are usually within walking distance. From a practical standpoint, that is one of the greatest advantages living in NYC offers to young parents. Furthermore, we all want our kids to become cosmopolitan people of the world who understand and appreciate other people and other cultures. In that regard, there are a few cities in this world, if any, in which a person can develop a more open-minded, culturally aware approach to life than NYC.

On the other hand, living in NYC doesn’t fit into many of the stereotypes we visualize when thinking about idyllic family life. Playing on the grassy lawn, taking long car rides, and enjoying the comfort and peace of a big house—you’ll hardly find any of that in NYC. Instead, you’ll find almost 2 million people living only in Manhattan, within barely 23 square miles, which makes for a population density of almost 71.000 people per square mile! Obviously, all the credit goes to movers Manhattan who obviously did a swell job over the last decade or two. Fortunately, the daily dynamics of NYC are interesting enough to compensate for the fact that so many people are living on top of each other.

Do many families live in NYC?

About 8.7 million people live in New York City, and many of those residents live with their children or parents. In fact, family life seems like a big deal, as about 14% of residents say that their neighborhood is all about families. The city is diverse, with more than half of its residents being female and a mix of ages, including about 12% of kids under 10 and 9% aged 10–17. Families like the city’s culture and schools, but some worry about high prices and the busy streets. Therefore, when parents think about moving to NYC with their families, they think about these things, trying to balance the fun city life with what’s practical. Keeping this in mind, when people move in or around the city, residential movers NYC are really helpful. They take away the moving stress, so you can focus on your kids during the move.

Is NYC a reasonably kid-friendly city?

Reasonably, yes, things are constantly changing for the better. As previously stressed, if there’s one thing NYC isn’t in shortage of, it’s people. NYC streets are literally crawling with people, which can often turn taking a walk with your kids into a nightmare. even if you decide to take a break from walking and sitting to have lunch somewhere, chances are that things won’t improve all that much. The sad truth is that most NYC restaurants aren’t suited for families with small kids. Also, depending on the borough, the problem with elevators can be a major headache. If you need to single-handedly carry the baby stroller every time, together with the baby in it, your enthusiasm for taking your baby for a walk will dry out rather soon.

Is Brooklyn one of the best boroughs for raising kids in NYC?

Brooklyn used to be tough and gritty some thirty years ago. However, as Manhattan is becoming too tight and expensive, many Manhattan people were forced to get in touch with movers in Brooklyn and cross the bridge due to Manhattan. Consequently, Brooklyn slowly became more refined and classy, and eventually, it turned into a slightly less attractive version of Manhattan. In terms of parenthood, apart from great schools, Brooklyn offers many outlets for some great after-school fun:

• There are countless sports programs for kids in Brooklyn, and it’s literally hard to decide which one to take. From soccer to basketball, fight sports, gymnastics, and even skiing, Brooklyn covers pretty much everything that you could potentially think of,
• The same goes for the after-school classes, weekend classes, and all other types of additional after-school academic enrichment. From Tiny Treasures NYC, Elite Minds Montessori, to East Midwood Jewish Center, you will find plenty of prestigious Brooklyn’s Eye Level Learning Centers,
• Finally, another reason why raising kids in NYC is such a great idea is the day camps, sleepaway camps, art & design camps, or any other camps that are so prevalent in Brooklyn during the summer. These are just some of those your kids could enjoy in the New York Metro Area.

Is raising kids in NYC more difficult if you live in Queens?

The answer is a resounding no! The reason is simple – Queens is much more suburban than Brooklyn, and, in this case, it works to its advantage. The houses are larger, there are more homes with backyards, and the playgrounds are significantly bigger. On top of all that, you’ll find more trees and more wildlife in Queens. If you were already on the fence regarding whether or not you should pack and move to Queens, don’t hesitate too much. Get in touch with some reputable movers Queens and relocate to this family-friendly borough!

To sum it up, Queens generally has a more family-oriented vibe than any other NYC borough. During the summer, driving by, you will likely see many families barbecuing in the backyard or doing any other form of family outing. Just as you’ll see countless snowball fights in the winter! That’s the essence of Queens, and it makes for great memories, especially if you’re a child growing up there.

Safest NYC neighborhoods for families

Battery Park City and Tribeca in NYC are ideal neighborhoods for families seeking safety, community, and quality education. Battery Park City, for example, is famous for having beautiful waterfront views and having plenty of parks and green spaces. In this neighborhood, families get to live in a peaceful environment and yet stay in the heart of the city! As for schools, Batterz Park Citz has several notable educational institutions, such as PS 89 Liberty School and Battery Park City School. On top of that, families are drawn to the area’s diverse community events,where thez can meet new friends and socialize. As such, Battery Park City movers are often busy helping new residents settle into this vibrant yet peaceful community. And if you’re looking for best attractions in this neighborhood for children, rest assued that your kids will love SeaGlass Carousel and the sprawling Rockefeller Park!

Moving on to Tribeca, this area is praised for combining a family-friendly vibe with an urban elegance. According to Tribeca movers, families like Tribeca since its streets are secure and its neighborhood is friendly. The neighborhood is more appealing to parents who value education because it is home to prestigious schools like PS 234 Independence School.  Meanwhile, parks like Washington Market Park, serve as a focal point for community activities and meetings in area, contributing to the overall family-friendly atmosphere. There are also lots of family-friendly eateries and cultural events available, making for a well-rounded urban living experience.

Areas to consider avoiding in NYC

When raising children in New York City, you need to select the right neighborhood to settle in. While areas like Brooklyn Heights, popular with Brooklyn Heights movers, are known for their family-friendliness, other areas are less ideal. Families should be cautious of neighborhoods with high crime rates and limited access to good schools. Key factors to consider include safety, proximity to educational institutions, availability of parks and recreational areas, and the overall community atmosphere. That being said, some neighborhoods to approach with caution include:

• Brownsville,
• Hunts Point,
• Midtown,
• Bedford,
• East Harlem,
• Tremont,
• Fordham,
• Mott Haven,
• Soundview, and
• Bushwick.

Raising kids in NYC and education in the city that never sleeps

There is a wide range of educational options available in New York City. The city is home to well-known organizations like:

• Stuyvesant High School,
• Bronx High School of Science,
• Brooklyn Technical High School,
• Townsend Harris High School,
• Bard High School Early College,
• Eleanor Roosevelt High School,
• Beacon High School, and
• Millennium High School.

These schools represent the high standards of public education in the city. When comparing public and private schooling, it’s essential to consider factors such as curriculum, resources, extracurricular activities, and overall educational philosophy. Public schools offer diverse environments and often have strong STEM and arts programs, while private schools might provide more personalized education and unique programs. Each option has its merits, and the choice depends on the child’s needs and family preferences.

Navigating safety in the Big Apple

Navigating safety in New York City, especially for families, requires awareness and informed decisions. According to recent statistics, a majority of NYC residents (54%) feel pretty safe, though some safety concerns exist. 25% feel somewhat safe, with occasional safety concerns, and 16% feel very safe with no concerns. Only a small percentage (4%) regularly feel unsafe. Factors like police visibility and responsiveness shape these perceptions. In terms of crime rates, NYC experiences various levels of violent and property crime. For instance, assault rates stand at 386.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 282.7.

Teaching kids about urban safety involves familiarizing them with their surroundings. Also, it includes encouraging them to be aware of their environment and understand the importance of community and law enforcement in maintaining safety. Parents can:

• guide children on how to navigate city streets,
• teach kids how to use public transportation safely,
• explain to kids whom to approach in case they need help.

In the end – the financial connotations of raising kids in NYC

Choosing the right borough and investing enough time to find a proper apartment could save you some money. Needless to say, as kids grow older, they demand more space. It means you’ll likely need to change a few apartments before they leave the nest. That fact should also affect your budget planning. Yes, raising kids in NYC is costly. Therefore, while planning, you should think about how to make the most of your new NYC home. Manhattan, of course, is the most expensive borough in NYC. As for Brooklyn and Queens, it is important to know that Brooklyn is more costly overall. That said, the gap between Brooklyn and Queens is getting smaller with every passing year. Right now, the same apartment in Queens costs around 500 dollars less than in Brooklyn. At the same time, the renting costs have been slightly decreasing in Brooklyn and slightly increasing in Queens over the last few years. Should that continue, the gap between average living costs in these two popular NYC boroughs may get much smaller at some point down the line.