You know, I think you raise a very good point. Perhaps the whole issue is that families with 2+ children simply have very different priorities. That doesn’t strike me as any sort of a major insight.

The real question, then, is: What is going on with demographics of the affluent in the United States? Particularly the GenXers who are in their 30′s now. If research shows that the GenX is averaging Western Europe-like figures (1.5 birth or lower per woman), then I think it’s safe to say that these walking-oriented developments are going to be very popular for a couple of decades, at least in the more affluent areas.

Because a couple in their 30′s now, with one child, can maintain a urban lifestyle, then the child leaves home, and the childless couple can continue with that lifestyle.

If, on the other hand, the GenXers are having 2+ children on average, then these urban lifestyle developments will need to cater to the younger set on the one hand, and the older set on the other hand. That ought to be an interesting challenge.

-rsh

You know, I think you raise a very good point. Perhaps the whole issue is that families with 2+ children simply have very different priorities. That doesn’t strike me as any sort of a major insight.

The real question, then, is: What is going on with demographics of the affluent in the United States? Particularly the GenXers who are in their 30′s now. If research shows that the GenX is averaging Western Europe-like figures (1.5 birth or lower per woman), then I think it’s safe to say that these walking-oriented developments are going to be very popular for a couple of decades, at least in the more affluent areas.

Because a couple in their 30′s now, with one child, can maintain a urban lifestyle, then the child leaves home, and the childless couple can continue with that lifestyle.

If, on the other hand, the GenXers are having 2+ children on average, then these urban lifestyle developments will need to cater to the younger set on the one hand, and the older set on the other hand. That ought to be an interesting challenge.

-rsh

In Atlanta we find urban and suburban lifestyles to be related to having children. As you described, going for a leisurely stroll with 2 children (and all their gear) takes leisurely right out of the equation!

What I have noted is that the move from urban to suburban is more directly related to having school-age children. In general, the best schools in the Atlanta area are in the suburbs.

When the kids leave home, many of our clients are once again drawn to the amenities of urban living.

In Atlanta we find urban and suburban lifestyles to be related to having children. As you described, going for a leisurely stroll with 2 children (and all their gear) takes leisurely right out of the equation!

What I have noted is that the move from urban to suburban is more directly related to having school-age children. In general, the best schools in the Atlanta area are in the suburbs.

When the kids leave home, many of our clients are once again drawn to the amenities of urban living.

I agree that fully developed urban core cities like New York City, Portland, Seattle and Washington DC will probably experience people moving back to the urban core in the future. However, cities like Jacksonville Florida where the suburban areas have already created their own “town-village” with their own business parks and amenities will not have people moving to the urban core. Everything is already in the suburbs.

And from a Floridian’s point of view, I would never move away from the ocean.

I agree that fully developed urban core cities like New York City, Portland, Seattle and Washington DC will probably experience people moving back to the urban core in the future. However, cities like Jacksonville Florida where the suburban areas have already created their own “town-village” with their own business parks and amenities will not have people moving to the urban core. Everything is already in the suburbs.

And from a Floridian’s point of view, I would never move away from the ocean.