Ben Stiller Says NYC is an Exciting Place for Kids

Actor Ben Stiller grew up on the busy Upper West Side of Manhattan in the [19]70s, joking that "there were … fires and riots and serial killers. It was great." Being raised in an interesting environment, the 42-year-old comedian wishes his kids Ella Olivia, 6, and Quinlin Dempsey, 3, were also privy to some hair-raising experiences of their own. Instead he and his wife, actress Christine Taylor, 37, choose to raise their kids in the relative calm of Los Angeles, where its "sunny and nice" and the kids "don’t have any excitement."

Ben can next be seen in the movie Tropic Thunder — which he wrote, directed, produced, and stars in — opening August 13th.

Source: Starpulse; Photo by INF.

Comments

My dad grew up in the Bronx and went to high school (Regis High) in Manhattan. He still talks about jogging through Central Park for basketball practice and waving to Woody Allen on the way to school every morning. I don’t live too far from NYC and hope to move there (or a surrounding borough) in a few years. I think the that just as city is a great place to have fun, it is also a great place to raise a family. There is so much culture and adventure-between the restaurants, museums, Broadway shows, etc. you can live there your whole life and always find something new. I always love seeing pics of the stars and their kids in NYC.

- Lauren on August 11th, 2008

I agree with Ben! I grew up in Westchester County, but moved back to the city in my late 20′s. I’d have to say that NYC is the greatest city on earth, but you DO have to make a lot of money to really be able to enjoy it! Although I can’t see myself ever moving back once I have kids. It’s not an ideal place unless you have the money to live in safer neighborhoods and have access to the better schools!

- Chicki on August 11th, 2008

I agree with Ben (and Lauren)! While of course, to each their own, I have always been wholeheartedly opposed to raising my kids anywhere but NYC. I’m a born and raised second generation NYC kid myself and my life experience has been so unique compared than that of anyone else I’ve met who’s not from NYC.

- Xan on August 11th, 2008

I would love to visit New York someday. My husband was born in the Bronx and moved to Florida when he was about 4. He remembers very little except his dad taking him to Yankee Stadium.

- tink1217 on August 11th, 2008

Like everything, there is both good and bad aspects of growing up in the city but I LOVED it! I grew up in the Bronx and despite all that is said about the Bronx, I had a wonderful childhood. NYC is a great place to grow up, you have so much exposure to various people/cultures/museums…I could go on and on. I have such fond memories.The city is so alive and full of adventure. Sadly, it is SOOOOO expensive to live there now. We couldn’t afford a decent lifestyle in the city with kids. I now live about 2 hours away and although I can go into the city frequently, my heart is a little sad at the fact my kids are not New yorkers. Growing up in the burbs is wonderful too but just very different. I think I fell in love with Ben when he said that. LOL

- Nina on August 11th, 2008

As a parent of a child with a disability, I’m so offended by the content of Tropic Thunder that I can no longer be entertained by Ben Stiller.

I wonder how he would feel if his own children were born with developmental disabilities — would it still be ‘funny’ to degrade people with intellectual disabilities?

- Stacy on August 11th, 2008

hey guys!! im from ireland and i visit NYC every year!! for me without a doubt it is the greatest place on earth!!! it seems a great place to raise kids. Central Park is like bugaboo city every evening with families hanging out:)god bless NYC and all your people.

- maggie on August 12th, 2008

Now I really want to go to New York!! It sounds like a fun place to go to

I am a California girl and I can’t imagine my life anywhere else…but I sure would love to visit NYC, I have never been :0

- Bren on August 12th, 2008

NYC is a great place to grow up.Sure it’s busy but has all the museums, concerts, culture,people,theatres,parks.It’s great!

- ma74 on August 12th, 2008

Im from the UK, but one day i’d love to live in New York. It’s a very popular notion over here as New York just seems so damn amazing.

- Bb on August 12th, 2008

I think New York is an amazing and fun city. I am surprised and dissappointed that Ben decided to make a movie like Tropic Thunder.

- Roadlesstaken on August 12th, 2008