Where else are you going to live where you can have a decent sized lot with space?
That's what life was like back when we lived in Italy a few years ago. It was pretty good in a lot of ways!
When we moved here to Oregon, we landed in a rental with a big, beautiful back yard that didn't see much use.
"Kids don't need a big yard to play, they need other kids" - and living in a denser area provides more kids.
That's not to say no one should have a yard or anything, just that it's really not all that it's cracked up to be.
Have you been to San Francisco? Addicts and homeless take over all parks. While I emphatize with their difficult situation, I don't want my child exposed to that.
> "Kids don't need a big yard to play, they need other kids" - and living in a denser area provides more kids.
Out here in suburbs,lots of kids (since most families with kids move to the suburbs) and many parks and none of the problems of a dense city.
As a 20-something I want(ed) to live in a dense city for the parties & people & bars. As a parent of a child, I want to be as far as possible from a dense city.
The high amount of homelessness may have something to do with the housing shortage.
Define "decent sized":
* https://www.google.com/maps/place/150+Geoffrey+St,+Toronto,+...
* https://www.google.com/maps/place/70+Jackman+Ave+Toronto,+ON
* https://www.google.com/maps/place/150+Westminster+Ave,+Toron...
Or perhaps something with less square footage:
* https://www.google.com/maps/place/50+Geoffrey+St,+Toronto,+O...
* https://www.google.com/maps/place/125+Hampton+Ave,+Toronto,+...
At a density that can support public transit, cars are optional (not a necessity), you still have a (back)yard, and can have a garage (attached to a laneway). The above was how things were often built pre-WW2:
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetcar_suburb
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWsGBRdK2N0
These places now cost quite a lot now because urban living is cool, but in roughly 1960-90s they were relatively cheap because all the WASPs moved to the suburbs because 'downtown was for immigrants'; one particular neighbourhood linked to above was >90% Polish during the time period:
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roncesvalles,_Toronto
Just to the east of this neighbourhood is Little Portugal (and then further east China Town, and a little north Little Italy), and to the west a large Ukraine community used to be concentrated (with a smattering of Lithuanians).
But those that don't have that as a priority, or can't afford it, should also have options.
Nobody is suggesting turning all suburbs into high-rises. But we need variety and supply in the market, so that people have choices that suit their lifestyle and income. Including the option to live closer to where they work to reduce the traffic on your roads.