We are pretty lucky to live in a neighborhood with kinds in the same age range as ours. All the parents know each other and the kids know where they're allowed to go. This includes a few acres of forest. Our kids are allowed to go out and roam, they just have to give us a general idea of where they're going to be playing (or they just bring a cheap walkie-talkie and check in occasionally). It's exactly how I grew up and I'm grateful for it. It makes me sad to see how many kids are growing up without the autonomy they need.