As far as possible

45 minutes. It's nice for weekend babysitting. Not close enough to do daycare pick up or anything though

My parents are on the West Coast and my in-laws are in Florida. We see them twice a year. It sucks not to have any local family and I feel sad for our kids that they won't really know their grandparents but no one is planning to move any closer. I think the ideal distance would be 3-5 hours away by car.

We are 1 - 1.5 hrs away. It's perfect for the above stated reasons. We have a guest room so they can stay if they babysit. The only issue is we don't have a regular local sitter so if we want to go out at night we have to plan far in advance for them to come here.

We live in the same city as our kids and their families, and our homes are close. Their in-laws are in the next neighborhood. It's worked out great because we babysit any time we're asked and get to see our grandchildren often, and we'll be near them as we age. We also run errands for each other and take care of pets when someone goes out of town. I'll add that we all get along very well, and my husband and I never "drop in" without at least texting to see if convenient.

Anonymous wrote:
Transatlantic is good for us.

I feel you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:45 minutes - 1.25 hours. Far enough that 'just stopping by' isn't easy, but close enough to make visiting and meals manageable.

OP - This answer made me happy! We are looking into living in a city that is exactly this distance (depending on traffic) and I was worried it was too far, but maybe it is the sweet spot after all?

This is us. I like it. But if I had an infant again I'd either want them closer, or a guest room!!!

Yes, we will get a guest room so they can spend the night if necessary. And I realize it means I have to drive on 270 more often, but that's okay.

Transatlantic is good for us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:45 minutes - 1.25 hours. Far enough that 'just stopping by' isn't easy, but close enough to make visiting and meals manageable.

OP - This answer made me happy! We are looking into living in a city that is exactly this distance (depending on traffic) and I was worried it was too far, but maybe it is the sweet spot after all?

This is us. I like it. But if I had an infant again I'd either want them closer, or a guest room!!!

My ILs are almost three hours away--not a bad distance, enough for short or long weekends, but not really close.

I wish my parents were under two hours away, but alas, we have to fly to them.

Anonymous wrote:45 minutes - 1.25 hours. Far enough that 'just stopping by' isn't easy, but close enough to make visiting and meals manageable.

OP - This answer made me happy! We are looking into living in a city that is exactly this distance (depending on traffic) and I was worried it was too far, but maybe it is the sweet spot after all?

2 hour flight

Sorry. My family is a pain in the ass.

3-5 hour drive.

45 minutes - 1.25 hours. Far enough that 'just stopping by' isn't easy, but close enough to make visiting and meals manageable.

How far away do you think is the ideal distance from your parents/kids' grandparents? I want my kids to have frequent access to their grandparents, but at the same time, as my parents they drive me crazy.