Which is better for raising kids, the City or East Bay?

Me and my wife were having an argument the other day about where it would be easier to raise kids, San Francisco or the East Bay? I love Berkeley having graduated from there, but I think the City would be better for raising kids; my wife thinks the further you get away from the City, the better?

Any one have any thoughts?
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FlowerGirl 2yrs+
My vote is for Berkeley and the East Bay in general. Who can afford to raise kids in the City? Your kids will end up with a lot more life experience growing up in the East Bay. Excellence through Diversity, right?
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I think you are definately right about Berkeley--North Berkeley especially has a good family atmosphere.
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StephSF 2yrs+
What about further East Bay, say, San Ramon, Dublin, or even Livermore? It offers a more suburban atmosphere with access to the Bart and the East Bay Hills. And you get a lot more for your money.

If you do decide to stick to a city (SF or Berkeley), western SF is probably a good place to let your kids play outside and have a relatively normal life within the diversity of such a large city. That's my two cents.
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FlowerGirl 2yrs+
I spent a lot of time growing up in Lafayette and a bit in Pleasant Hill which are a bit like San Ramon and Dublin, and I must say I personally hated it. (I was always more of a city girl than anything else.) But I wonder if I might change my tune if got in a marrying way. My married friend loves the San Ramon, Dublin area--says that it is the perfect family friendly place to raise kids.
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