Originally Posted by Camel
Being carfree is a choice of convenience vs necessity, and sometimes a difficult one. For a family to be carfree (and I don't submitt anyone needs to be, just that they can), they would find it easier to live close to (say within walking distance) services-schools, grocers, hardware, doctors/dentists offices and respective employers. Currently in much of the US, housing costs to live this close to services are astronomical. This used to be termed a village, community, or neighborhood. Can a family be carfree? Sure-but it might take a lot of effort.
A lot of families need both parents working to get by, and both parents may spend a lot of time commuting as well. This leaves less time together, and less time raising children. The benefits of living in a Village style community (as above), add this time. The loss might be the extra expense of personal vehicles-which would not be needed daily anyway.
That's the problem with living in a good sized suburb. You might pick a house near a school, but then be told your kids have to go across town to another one. They don't always provide bus service. In a smaller town, you know exactly where the school is, and it's the only one.