It all depends on where you live Maarten. I&#x27;m from Holland. Moved to a &#x27;burb&#x27; three years ago after nearly 20 years in NYC. We picked a town where some of the things you mention are still a reality (spontaneous play, kids walk to school in groups, biking is difficult because... hills). Meanwhile, I know that the situation you sketch isn&#x27;t the reality anymore in large parts of Holland either (many more cars, fewer new developments, not enough kids, many old people).<p>The article brings up many good points, but the suburb outlined in the article describes a very specific kind. Having lived in a metropolitan US area for 19 years, I relish the lack of noise, the extra space (1 acre) and suburban life in general.<p>PS It&#x27;s a little disingenuous to mention the bus&#x2F;snow situation. Snow days here (5 max) are rare and typically well-warranted. You really cannot compare a 5cm &quot;snowstorm&quot; in The Netherlands with the 1+ feet (40cm) that fell overnight last winter.