I have a nice little old house in a beautiful walkable neighborhood, full of trees and forests and lakes, near hiking and mountains, 15 minutes away is a small city with fun stuff going on, my little neighborhood is safe enough that kids go out riding bikes in the street or play catch on the road, but it’s not so squeaky clean that you feel like you’ll get narc’d on for enjoying yourself, good schools, good people all around.
Best of all, my 4 year old is just thriving here. he has a little rascals crew of friends from school and from our street. I love picking him up from school and hearing him talk about his friends. The parents have started to take turns hosting on Saturdays, so these 8-10 kids get to run around and safely “be on their own” while the adults get to hang out and grill/drink some beers/relax.
Our village is sort of forming itself actively, the parents have all sort of settled quickly into that attitude of responsibility where we know our kids are going to be each others peers as they grow up and we all look out for each other. the other parents and I are involved in the school district and local boards of this and that, a few of us coach little league, we help each other with projects around the house.
18 years ago I was an absolute wastoid of a drunk with a grim future, and now I have this charming little house with a wonderful kid and friends within walking distance, and I’m just so glad I can give my son the kind of childhood I feared wasnt possible anymore.