City Versus Suburban Living Debated

A Philadelphia suburbanite and city dweller debate the merits of city living versus living in the suburbs.

1 minute read

May 23, 2002, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"I agree that the city is dying a death of thousands of small wounds. It's been that way since the '50s. But when push came to shove, was I supposed to put my family or my city first? My wife and I moved out eight years ago when we decided to have a family. We were worried about sending our kids to city schools. We worried about crime. And the taxes and auto insurance drove me bats. So what do you think we should have done? Said to ourselves, well, our kids would be best off in the suburbs, but we need to personally hold the line against 50 years of exodus?"

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Monday, May 20, 2002 in The Philadelphia Daily News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

6 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Close-up on e-scooters parked in painted designated parking area on city street.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide

How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

4 hours ago - Daily Montanan

Illustration of nighttime city with white lines connecting nodes to illustrate technology and connectivity

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities

An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive