economy
Townhouses might be the sweet spot for family-friendly housing
The baby bust is mostly cultural, but partly economic. The economic drag on family formation is mostly about housing: In the past six years, it has become much more expensive to own or rent a home.
TL;DR
- Rising housing costs are a significant economic barrier to family formation.
- Increasing housing supply is generally good, but extreme density (high-rises) or low density (large yards) may not be ideal for families.
- Dense suburbia or well-designed townhouses offer a potential sweet spot for family-friendly housing.
- Key features for family-friendly housing include private outdoor areas, accessible common play spaces, and good soundproofing.