I’ll repeat it again: I held out for almost 3 years living in the city, and I’d still be there today if it were entirely up to me. My son’s mother’s family is in Bartlett, South Barrington, and Elgin. They are Italian and get together constantly.
She has always worked in the burbs, and we live 8 minutes from her mother’s house. The house she and her 4 siblings grew up in. Her mother’s family recently passed away.
But again, for those who are actually willing to listen instead of continue on with complete bullshit narratives, my son was almost 3 before I finally saw the writing on the wall. It was either live in the city and not see my son, or live in the burbs and see him every day. I’m with him every day of his life because of this decision. It wasn’t one I made without resistance.