[bwb]

Yep, in Boulder/Denver in CO as new family with our first kid. I've also lived in Florida, DC, and AR.

American society just isn't built to bump into people, lots of driving and overall people favor their own backyard with huge yards over public spaces for everyone. From a societal POV it makes sense as well, everyone is stressed over money/health, long commutes and long hours, and no vacation time. Just part of American culture, no emphasize on the "life" part of work/life balance.

I don't have many friends in the USA who that doesn't describe. Some have found ways out of it, mostly through high paying jobs, but even then they are working insane hours and still stressed.