We just moved into a new neighborhood and just about every night we meet up in one of the yards and let the kids play so that hasn't changed you just have to be in a decent place.

Be careful liking the past better, its easy to fall into the trap of being stuck in the past, my in laws for example, they don't need no education, kids should sit quietly in front of the tv or in a playpen, not be allowed to explore, they don't need no seat belts or turn signals, smoking doesn't hurt anyone, etc.