almostvindiesel

Love this. Exactly the reason I write now

Ha yeah, extreme, but speaks to how isolated many Americans are

It does, we're in our 40s now, but all priveleged to have good careers that enabled us to make this choice.

Good, choose this neighborhood for the public schools and "suburbia light" vibe, eg proximity to target but also walkable to nice coffee shops / restaurants / local things.

100% this. Started out with two families buying houses near each other in a family centric LA neighborhood (Eagle Rock). Then it expanded to 3 --> 4 --> 5 all within walking distance. We all have similar aged children. It's magic. We watch each others kids, do frequent backyard/park/sleepover playdates, and help w dropoff/pickup. It makes parenting SO MUCH EASIER. I often joke that I'm not a real parent bc we have so much help. Living closer meant compromising on other decisions (ideal house/commute/etc), but proximity to friends has more than outweighed the cons. One family was living near the beach and loved it, but decided it was more impt to live near us then right on the coast.

We opt in and out as much as we'd like. It's beautiful having options, mostly for our kids, who are really thriving by having easy access to playmates. So much better than having to "blind date" other couples and their kids from daycare/activities/etc.

The hardest part is starting. It doesn't have to be a huge commune initiative. Pick one friend who has a similar lifestyle and settle down in a neighborhood withing walking distance and take it from there. Think most important time to do it is when you become a new parent, when your kids and you will want companionship but won't have the time (nor energy) to build new relationships.

Yes. Took just over a year off after a death in the family to travel. Saved up with my partner so we wouldn't have to work while on the road. Kept our adventures frugal and did nothing but adventure and decompress initially. Then settled back in the US and worked on a startup idea for four months. Didn't go anywhere, but I learned a lot, and my experiences and prototype helped me land my next gig (@Netflix).

Had nerves interviewing at first but eventually settled into a groove. Will it be harder than interviewing when you're currently employed? Yes, but a lot of it will be in your head. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life and so happy I did it

Based on our conversations, I know that you have a strong focus on family, enjoy outdoor activities, and have thoughtful approaches to financial planning and life balance. I also notice that you pay close attention to creating memorable experiences, both for your kids and for your family as a whole.

You’re mindful of planning for the long-term, whether that’s through investments, retirement, or even making sure vacations are well-suited to your family’s needs. You seem to enjoy blending fun with responsibility, ensuring that your decisions are both practical and fulfilling.

Is there anything about this that surprises you?

I'm sorry for your loss OP.

We had premature twins who both stayed in the NICU for around three months. Our total hospital bills came out to just under five million dollars. Fortunately we also had great insurance and received great care.

We fought with the insurance/hospital/vendors for over a year and was on the phone with them every single week for hours to get the covered procedures included. An annoyance, but we were able to navigate it. Our twins are thriving today.

Other families were not so lucky. We watched under or uninsured parents have to make decisions between the health of their sick children and their own financial livelihood. As educated privileged workers, the system worked for us. But it fails many. There has got to be a better way

The what?