Your Guide to Choosing a Family-Friendly Neighborhood

Starting a family is an exciting time in your life. You are setting up your nest, establishing traditions and creating history. In the same time, it is an enormous responsibility and pressure. From now on, you are responsible for your partner and your kids, their safety and well-being. That is why picking the right neighborhood is especially important. It is a significant family milestone that shapes your kid’s education, social life and the environment they are raised in. Additionally, you need to pick a place that will fit your needs and will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. There are plenty of things you need to factor in so let’s discuss them one at a time.

Commute to Work

Your commute will always cut into your babies bedtime routine. No matter how appealing is the house, living there is pointless if you can’t put your kids to bed. Early childhood is an important period when you form intimate connections with your children and help them to develop essential cognitive abilities, you don’t want to spend this time in the traffic. Even if your partner is staying at home to take care of your toddler, you still need to be close to provide various kinds of support.

Downtown nearby

If you are leading an active lifestyle, secluding yourself in a distant suburb can feel like an exile. That is why it is important to pick a neighborhood with a thriving center that is pedestrian friendly and accessible by public transportation or a short drive away. That will give you an opportunity to frequently attend social events, find quality after school activities and tutors for your kids. It is ideal to find a balanced ratio between quite neighborhood and proximity to the Downtown.   

Parks and Playgrounds

Park with a playground in proximity to your home is a huge advantage. It is a perfect space for spending time with your kid, playing sports or having a picnic. In the same time, a park is a great spot to mingle with other parents with kids, socialize and find playdates for your tot. These social interactions are beneficial in the long run: you find pals and integrate into the local community.

Community Center

A community center or a public pool is a great addition to the family-friendly neighborhood. The local pool will become the favorite hang out a spot for your kids for years. Furthermore, the community center is a perfect place to find various activities, classes, and sports clubs. You can also find activities for yourself and connect with people with the same interests. That will boost your sense of community. Don’t be skeptical about such activities, you don’t want to live in the neighborhood of strangers. Be visible, be active and your neighbors will help you in the time of need.

Kids in the Area

Socialization is critical for the early child development. Children learn to be part of the team, solve arguments and improve their language skills. Thus, you need to make sure that there are plenty of kids in the area. You can consult district statistic or just take a walk around the block. Presence of strollers or trikes on the porches, car seats and swing sets in the yards indicate families with kids.

School System

It goes without saying that school years play a profound role in forming your kid’s personality. First and foremost, the school helps a student to achieve a maximum academic potential. Therefore, research various school in the area. Explore their curriculums and find schools that specialize in math or natural sciences, for example. Look for magnet schools and charter schools that offer unique programs that can develop your kid’s natural talents.

Second, the school should help your kid to build a character and improve social skills. The most favorable arrangement for that is small classes and learning groups. This way a teacher can work with each student individually, timely spot bullying, engage students and improve teamwork.

Finally, a school should broaden the horizons. Hence, consider a school with extracurricular activities, sports teams, science and humanities clubs. This way your child is exposed to multiple opportunities and more knowledgeable about the world around. Another important factor is the diversity of the school. When kids are exposed to people of different races, nationalities, and religions, they form a coherent worldview and become more empathetic and tolerant.  

Crime Rates

Last but not least, the crime rate in the neighborhood has to be low. You want to start a family and raise kids in the neighborhood where you don’t have to worry about safety. You kids need to be able to walk safely from school, leave their bikes on the front lawn, and invite friends over. If the neighborhood is crime-ridden, you will end up paying more for various safety measures and precautions. Look up online crime statistic of the neighborhood. It is part of public records and has to be accessible online

To Sum Up

As you can see there are plenty of prerequisites for an ideal family friendly neighborhood. It should not only combine opportunities for your kids to learn and play but also options for you and your partner to socialize and develop professionally. Obviously, it is hard to combine all these factors when moving to a new neighborhood. You have to clearly set your priorities, make certain compromises and choose something in your price range.

Nevertheless, you need to be thoughtful about the selection process. It is better to consult with a real estate agent who has kids and can empathize with your challenges and needs. However, keep in mind that the final objective of real estate agents is to sell you a house. Local websites and newspapers are not so biased. Thus, do your own research, explore your potential residences, talk with the locals.