When the time comes for you to start thinking about having a family and putting down your roots, the most important thing is finding a home that is in a family-oriented neighborhood. That just goes without saying—all parents want their children to grow up in a safe and fun neighborhood. However, finding that kind of neighborhood is far from a walk in the park. Yes, an excellent real estate agent will be able to help you out. But, at the end of the day, you are the only one who knows what’s best for your family. So, it will be up to you to do all the “investigating.” Fear not—we are here to help you out with that! And we will do that by sharing with you the 7 signs of a family-friendly neighborhood.
1. The Neighbors Are Nice
One of the most prominent signs of a family-friendly neighborhood is nice neighbors. Those are the people who will want to babysit your kids, people who will invite you to a cup of coffee when you feel overwhelmed by all the household chores, and people among whom your family feels safe. These kinds of neighbors are something all parents want when buying a home, that is when choosing a neighborhood to settle in. So, talk to the people living in the area you consider moving to. If they are friendly, chatty, and welcoming, the chances are that you are in a good neighborhood.
2. The Education System is Good
All parents want their kids to receive the best possible education. After all, education is what ensures a better future. That is why all neighborhoods that are meant for families usually have highly-ranked schools, developed education systems, an abundance of great teachers and tutors, safe learning environments, etc. So, look for those when trying to find the right neighborhood for your family.
Speaking of schools, all kids hate changing them. That is understandable – nobody likes being “the new kid.” Thus, when your family decides it’s time to move to another country, talk to your kids about this. Focus on all the positive sides of moving and changing the school. Include kids in your cross-country move; moreover, if possible, let them participate. For example, look for schools and after-school activities together, meet the teachers together, etc.
3. There Are Many Kid-Friendly Amenities
If you have a family, you also have a strong desire to spend as much time outside as possible. Kids need space and new environments to run around and explore the world around them. And, you need to get out of the house. So, look for neighborhoods that have a lot of outdoor and indoor kid-friendly amenities. Those can be parks, amusement parks, malls, game centers, etc. Moreover, those can also be kid-friendly restaurants and coffee shops. If you find a neighborhood that has all of these (or at least the majority of these), that is also one of the signs of a family-friendly neighborhood.
4. Necessities Are in Close Proximity in a Family-Friendly Neighborhood
One of the things all people are looking for in a community is that they don’t have to commute to all the places they need on an everyday basis. And that is something people with kids are looking for even more. It is complicated to go to work, take care of little ones, and finish all the chores when all the necessities are far away. They need to be in close proximity! If they are—that is also a sign you are in the right neighborhood. So, before you buy a home, check whether it is close to all the places you visit daily—workplace, school, park, mall, grocery store, bank, hospital, etc.
5. Houses Have Big Yards
Okay, this may not be one of the best signs of a family-friendly neighborhood—many neighborhoods can have houses with big yards. But, take a look at the yards. Are they full of kids? Are they full of playhouses, swings, trampolines, and all other kid’s toys? If they are—those yards are in a neighborhood that’s right for you.
When buying a dream home with your family, we strongly advise you to add a big yard to your wish list, if possible, of course. There will be days when you won’t be able to take your kids to the park, and, on those days, you will be glad you have that big yard to serve as an outdoor play area.
6. The Environment Feels Safe
If a community has all the signs of a family-friendly neighborhood, but it doesn’t feel safe, well, that is not a neighborhood catered to families. Safety will always be the biggest priority for people with children. They will always want to be able to walk freely during the nighttime, not worry about crime, be as far away from heavy traffic as possible, etc. If you have kids, this is something you will want too! Thus, check the crime rates of the neighborhood you plan on moving to, and pay attention to details such as street lighting, noise, and the strange vibes you get when walking down the street. If you feel unsafe, or if you just feel that something is off, don’t move to that neighborhood. The environment you move to must look and feel safe if you want to raise your family without any dangers.
7. Public Opportunities Are Aimed At the Kids
One of the last but certainly not least essential signs of a family-friendly neighborhood is all the public opportunities. It is easy to determine whether a certain place is kid-friendly or not by looking at the opportunities they offer. An example of those opportunities would be libraries with kids’ reading programs, restaurants that have kids’ menus, parks that have organized games for the kids all year round, etc. Moreover, those can also be various events that include family people and children. You can check this by looking at the neighborhood’s website–if they advertise public opportunities that are aimed toward the kids, that neighborhood is right for you and your family.
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