Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 20:49     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:Two or more things can be true at the same time. People can form relationships outside of their immediate neighborhood. There’s a great big world out there and in that world there are people that differ from your preferences, your background, your expectations, your experiences, your judgment, your beliefs etc…


Of course, but the ppl in our neighborhood are not a monolith either. Same with other ways I've made friends - kids school, work, activities ,etc.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 20:00     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think it’s great to grow up in an area where kids aren’t in a very easy distance. It helps children set boundaries, manage time. Play dates can be arranged with clear time frames. I wouldn’t call it “sheltered”. I call it family focused.


I wouldn’t call it sheltered, I’d call it controlling. Relax already



Family time is great, but kids need to see other kids and to not have everything need to be scheduled and pre arranged. One of the reasons I loved growing up in a neighborhood like is because it was spontaneous, I coukd just go outside and my friends were there. I don't think i would been able to see them as much if everything needed pre arranging.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 19:34     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:I think it’s great to grow up in an area where kids aren’t in a very easy distance. It helps children set boundaries, manage time. Play dates can be arranged with clear time frames. I wouldn’t call it “sheltered”. I call it family focused.


I wouldn’t call it sheltered, I’d call it controlling. Relax already
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 19:31     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:It doesn't matter socially as long your kids feel they have enough friends.

Raising kids in a walkable neighborhood is literally an obstacle to them learning to drive.

I have a 17 year old and 20 year old who don't have driver's licenses yet. There are pros and cons to this. I still need to teach the 20 year old to parallel park well enough to pass our licensing exam. He needs to drive by junior year of college to get access to good internships.


Unless they live in an actual city with many types of transportation that’s not true. Your kid is not a good example.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 19:28     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:We currently live in a neighborhood with large lots and children are mostly older. The neighborhood consists of wealthy families and kids attend various private schools. We have the opportunity to move to a neighborhood with a street full of kids, walkable to a playground, restaurants and library.

I am really torn because I have one kid who will likely go out ALL the time. Currently, all play dates have to be organized by parents. My three kids all have many activities and sports. They all have friends, just not neighborhood friends.


Oh please. You’ve always had the opportunity to live in a neighborhood full of kids with walkable amenities. You chose an isolated neighborhood. Some people like to be isolated and go from front door to car without ever seeing another person. Others thrive with having people around them and the ability to get up and walk everywhere.

What is the upside to children living on a street where you never see another person?
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 19:15     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:Well now this thread is making me feel bad because our neighborhood is all empty nesters and older kids and there is nothing I can do about that. I didn't think it was such a big deal I should move. Kids have never complained and see their friends at school all the time - I just have to drive. Maybe this is a problem I didn't realize???


I think that kids are ok in that situation, but I do think it's great if they can have the whole neighborhood scene. Glad your kids are happy though
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 19:06     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Well now this thread is making me feel bad because our neighborhood is all empty nesters and older kids and there is nothing I can do about that. I didn't think it was such a big deal I should move. Kids have never complained and see their friends at school all the time - I just have to drive. Maybe this is a problem I didn't realize???
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 18:34     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.



No its not, not for all kids anyway.


+1. My high school kids go to the local public school so maybe that is the difference but their core group of friends are still the kids in the neighborhood who also go to the same school. But I can see where this may differ for private schools (having gone to private myself).


This, everyone has a different situation and maybe for your kids this doesn't last that long, but it doesn't mean its not worth it.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 17:31     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Two or more things can be true at the same time. People can form relationships outside of their immediate neighborhood. There’s a great big world out there and in that world there are people that differ from your preferences, your background, your expectations, your experiences, your judgment, your beliefs etc…
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 17:00     Subject: Re:Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
I wonder if we live in the same neighborhood of Chevy Chase. We are moving to a neighborhood where there are more young families and most kids attend the local public. I was surprised just how many kids go to private here!

Most homes are either empty nesters or their kids are in HS+.

Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 16:39     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.



No its not, not for all kids anyway.


+1. My high school kids go to the local public school so maybe that is the difference but their core group of friends are still the kids in the neighborhood who also go to the same school. But I can see where this may differ for private schools (having gone to private myself).
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 16:38     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone parent want to isolate their child? Or move them to a neighborhood without kids unless they had no other choice?
Haven’t you heard of autonasaphobia, it’s a cousin to claustrophobia? It’s the fear of running out of parking for you and your guests. People with this phobia cannot buy tiny homes on eensie weensy lots or risk debilitating panic attacks and hives. You should have put a trigger warning in the title of your post, OP. Shame on you!


I'm not the op, I'm sorry if ppl are struggling, but isolating your kids isn't good
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 16:35     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone parent want to isolate their child? Or move them to a neighborhood without kids unless they had no other choice?
Haven’t you heard of autonasaphobia, it’s a cousin to claustrophobia? It’s the fear of running out of parking for you and your guests. People with this phobia cannot buy tiny homes on eensie weensy lots or risk debilitating panic attacks and hives. You should have put a trigger warning in the title of your post, OP. Shame on you!
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 15:32     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.


By 12 it’s done


Ok, so even if it is, which i don't think it is, why isn't that an experience that we shouldn't want for kids or try to facilitate?
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2026 15:08     Subject: Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.


By 12 it’s done



No its not, not ime anyway