What Makes a Great Neighborhood for Your Family

It’s inevitable: your babies grow into children, your family keeps growing, and before you know it, you’re feeling trapped in your own home. It’s no secret that you need a bigger home, but what are the other factors to consider when choosing a neighborhood that your family will thrive in? Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for your next neighborhood!

The schools - You want to give your children the best start on life and that begins with a great education. From elementary to high school, does the school district maintain a high level of excellence throughout? What do the current parents say about the schools? Not only are great schools good for your kids, but they also help keep home values higher.

What outdoor amenities does the neighborhood offer? Are there playgrounds for your younger kids? How about soccer fields or baseball diamonds? And for “you” time, what about walking or jogging trails? Today’s families are active and having convenient recreational areas is a must.

Look at the current makeup of the neighborhood. Is it family friendly? Or will you feel isolated? You want to make sure that there are families nearby, maybe even some with kids around the same age as yours. Some neighborhoods will offer your children more opportunities to develop strong and lasting friendships than others.

How safe will you feel in the neighborhood? There are sites such as Trulia’s Crime Maps that will show you criminal activity for a specific neighborhood. It is vital that you feel safe at home and are not keeping your kids inside for fear of what may happen. You can also get a good sense of a community from local social media now!

How well are the houses in the neighborhood maintained? Pride in ownership is another key factor when choosing where to live. Are the nearby lawns kept cut in the summer, and cleared in the winter? Are the exteriors kept uncluttered and well maintained? What about the homes themselves – are they in good condition, or are there several houses in disrepair? These are often the first signs of a declining neighborhood.

Don’t try to shove a square peg into a round hole! If you’re an urbanite at heart, a home in the country may not be the best for you and vice versa. You want to make sure that your new neighborhood is a good lifestyle match for you. With the need for a bigger house, urban dwellers may have to compromise on city living and choose something just outside the city.

These basic guidelines will help you narrow down which neighborhood is best for you and your family. Happy house hunting!