Nailed it!I would, for my family. The wife is okay with an urban setting but not necessarily high-density (i.e. no yard whatsoever), so we butt heads on that. However, I'm not the only person who would consider such an environment for families. As long as we have access to top-notch PUBLIC schools and there's a place to play with other kids (i.e. playground), those two things make urban living much more desirable in a place like North Loop, whereas other places -- like the Mills District -- seems a bit more exclusive and not geared towards young families (yet). It would also really depend on where our jobs were, among other things.Just my personal opinion but I can't imagine a lot of families really wanting to live in the North Loop area (even if we added a lot more park area)...I can see why they want to live in the 'burbs (can just let the kiddos out in the back yard, more room to run around, larger homes typically, easier to have friends (with other small kids) over for a cookout/playtime, etc.)
As someone who did raise a family in the country and also a small town, I don't think many families would really look at downtown as a place to live.
Just my 2 cents though...
My best friend lives in Chicago and owns a "3-flat" with a postage stamp backyard (shared between the 3 flats). However, there is a PUBLIC school 2 blocks away with a great play space.
I think the statement that families should "go live in the suburbs if you want a place for kids to play", is misguided. It's an outdated way of thinking about the city. A family shouldn't want walkability and all of the other amenities that a city offers? I'm not talking about multi-family projects creating individual "backyards"; I'm talking about a shared, public gathering and play space.
Again, if "the city" doesn't want families downtown then one way to insure that they won't have them here is to NOT provide public gathering and play space and the other is to NOT look ahead to providing quality public schools.
