Can 〜頃から be followed by ル形? or is タ形 mandatory?

Question

Let's take the following examples:

• 1(a). 子供の頃から、ずっとパリに行きたかった
• 1(b). 子供の頃から、ずっとパリに行くのが夢でした
• 2(a). 子供の頃から、パリに行きたかった
• 2(b). 子供の頃から、パリに行くのが夢でした
• 3(a). 子供の頃から、パリに行きたいです
• 3(b). 子供の頃から、パリに行くのが夢です

From what I understand, if you use ずっと you have to stick with the タ形 because ずっと implicitely implies 子供の頃から、（今まで）ずっとパリに行きたかった. But, this is not the case when ずっと is not here in examples 2 and 3.

I would like to know whether examples 2(a), 2(b), 3(a), 3(b) are valid and natural and if we can interpret them the following way: 2(a) and 2(b) implies that from a young age the speaker wanted to go to Paris, however we don't know whether he did or not go to Paris at this point; however 3(a) and 3(b) implies that from a young age the speaker wants to go to Paris, and still has that dream, since he has yet to make it come true.

Is it correct?

Answer 1

Only 3(a) sounds somewhat unnatural - by adding ずっと it sounds natural. Other than this one, they all sound perfectly fine.

I would like to know whether examples 2(a), 2(b), 3(a), 3(b) are valid and natural and if we can interpret them the following way: 2(a) and 2(b) implies that from a young age the speaker wanted to go to Paris, however we don't know whether he did or not go to Paris at this point; however 3(a) and 3(b) implies that from a young age the speaker wants to go to Paris, and still has that dream, since he has yet to make it come true.

Yes. This is correct. In 1/2(a/b), it might also mean "I wanted to, but there's no hope anymore".

Answer 2

As long as it is in the past tense it should be correct, so 3(a) and 3(b) are no go.