Safer to raise kids in suburbs vs. closer to perceived "vices", crime, etc.

[Crankin]

I think it's important, too, but it doesn't happen here, unless you really make an effort. The town my kids grew up in here has a about a 25% Asian (mostly Chinese and Indian) population. It is a very significant minority. At the time they graduated HS, there was a lot more diversity in terms of ethnicity and religion than when we moved there. It was good.
My DIL had some unique experiences as a kid, because of where she lived, but I don't think she wants her child taking the city bus to school in 2nd grade, like she did. And this was in the late 80s.
As for me, we had thought about moving to the city where I grew up, to have a more urban feel. Then we started cycling. That pretty much nixed that plan! And now, I get agitated with all of the people, traffic, etc. I like being close enough that we go there whenever we want, but I always feel a sense of relief when we get to a certain point on the drive home. And it has nothing to do with safety, because I feel the same agitation in the ritziest neighborhoods in Boston. Just too many people.

[shootingstar]

I think it's important, too, but it doesn't happen here, unless you really make an effort. The town my kids grew up in here has a about a 25% Asian (mostly Chinese and Indian) population. It is a very significant minority. At the time they graduated HS, there was a lot more diversity in terms of ethnicity and religion than when we moved there. It was good.
My DIL had some unique experiences as a kid, because of where she lived, but I don't think she wants her child taking the city bus to school in 2nd grade, like she did. And this was in the late 80s.
As for me, we had thought about moving to the city where I grew up, to have a more urban feel. Then we started cycling. That pretty much nixed that plan! And now, I get agitated with all of the people, traffic, etc. I like being close enough that we go there whenever we want, but I always feel a sense of relief when we get to a certain point on the drive home. And it has nothing to do with safety, because I feel the same agitation in the ritziest neighborhoods in Boston. Just too many people.

It does require some careful thought and initial (natural, cannot be too fake-forced) effort to choose and live harmoniously in mixed racial/ethnic neighbourhood in a big city. For those of us, who already do, we might take it for granted.

My sister who is no longer alive, when they moved in 1 suburban Toronto neighbourhood she found the neighbours cold, upper class Jewish and had a hard time sparking any conversation. This actually compounded her depression and isolation. She was the one who is married to her white hubby with now 2 biracial adult children.

So seriously, Crankin, they sold that house within 5 months and bought into a different neighbourhood probably less than 3 km. away, that was more racially and ethnically mixed. (Asian descent, East Indian, black and white) I hate to say this, but my gut feel tells me, it was probably better for herself at the time and her children in terms of neighbourhood integration.

In the world of biracial children (and I feel this because there are 4 children from 2 sisters), it is in my opinion, where all possible for biracial children the broadest exposure early in life onward of knowing both sides of their extended family face to face often, develop natural comfort level of navigating among different zones, worlds....because it IS part of their family legacy and self-identity. I have read too many stories, for others, it was too late in life for because certain family members died.

I'm glad these children knew my father ... ever since they were babies before my father died last year.

[Crankin]

Oh, I believe you, Shooting Star. If you are that unhappy in your home, then move. I hated the place we lived for the first 6 years after moving back here, but it was where we could afford to buy. It actually exposed my kids to different kinds of people, in terms of income, and that part was good. But, I felt isolated. I've never been much on socializing with neighbors, so I just made my social life elsewhere.
All the research I've read about bi-racial children talks about what you said. Same thing for mixed religious households. I hope my younger son exposes his future kids to Judaism... I worry about that. He was the most religious in our family, growing up, and now he just does what his wife wants. She is not religious, but this time of year makes me glad I don't live near them. On the other hand, they are totally accepting people, with friends from all cultures. My other son and wife will raise their kids Jewish; she grew up sort of nothing/Protestant, with one Jewish grandparent. When she was a kid, she actually lived in a Jewish commune with her parents, because their house burned down and this was the only place that would take them in. So, she's totally comfortable with it.
Compared to most of the kids mine grew up with, my sons are way more down to earth and non-entitled, and we worked hard to make it happen, even when we lived in places where that was not the norm and we had the money to do otherwise.