New York City is an extremely child-friendly city and over the years it has become even more so. Previously when New Yorkers had children or were planning to start a family they would usually move out to neighboring states like Connecticut or New Jersey where they were assured of more living space for their offspring as well as access to good public schools. However, this trend over the years has been changing and now many New Yorkers decide to stay in the city rather than move to the suburbs. As a result, mothers pushing babies in their fancy Bugaboo strollers are a common sight on almost every street in New York City.
There are many reasons that have prompted this change, though one of the primary reasons has been constantly improving education system in the city. The education system in New York City is composed of a network of public (state funded run by the city’s department of education), charter (funded by the state but not run by the New York City department of education) and private and parochial (religious–Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim) schools. Recent surveys also indicate that students who study at New York City schools easily meet the state standards for subjects like English, Math,s and Science and these estimates have been continuously improving.
New York City in recent years has also experienced a sharp drop in crime levels and it now presents a relatively safe environment for bringing up children. Moreover, the interests of children who live in the city are protected by various organizations like the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and The Children’s Aid Society.
It is also necessary to mention that New York City has countless facilities which are geared towards the needs of children like special child playrooms which are located in apartment buildings that are a boon during the winter months when outdoor activities are curtailed due to weather conditions, child-friendly restaurants, parks and recreational facilities and summer camps and activities which are invaluable during the long two-month summer breaks that schools in New York City tend to have. More information about this wide array of facilities can be found on popular websites like (http://www.mommypoppins.com) and (http://newyorkkids.timeout.com).
Further the Mass Transit Authority that runs the public transport system in New York City also has provisions for free travel for children on the city’s subway system. Currently, this provision allows three children who are less than 44 inches tall to travel free on the subway system when they are accompanied by a full-fare paying adult.
Additionally, the MTA also has reduced fare programs for school children which take the form of special MetroCards that are distributed to students by their respective schools. These student MetroCards enable the school children to travel to and from school and for school-related activities on the buses and the subways daily. (http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/Transportation/ParentResources/StudentMetroCards/default.htm).
All these various measures help to make New York City, a city that is more than suitable to be inhabited by families with young children.
