Crib or Not to Crib

Has anyone ever ditched using a traditional style crib?

My fiancé and I are expecting our first and hunting for crib that fits our criteria has been quite a challenge. He mentioned earlier today not really ever knowing his nieces and nephews having a crib. Sort of like they grew out of bassinet and went straight to a bed of some sort. Toddler bed, maybe? The details are his recollection are very loose.

Has anyone went from a bassinet, ditched a crib, and went straight to some alternative bed? Is that safe? I don’t know at what age (or size) babies outgrow their bassinets. I would really like to have a crib for transition sake and long term use.

He stumbled upon a “tatub bed” that he really liked. The one he liked had a 22-inch height barrier around the outside. Are those safe? At what age would you use those? I don’t mind the idea of a “tatub bed” but for maybe a 3+ year old and without barriers. Something that sits parallel with the floor.