What makes a neighborhood family-friendly?

There comes a point in most people's lives when they want to swap the bars and nightclubs for more parks and playgrounds. Having little ones in your life means that you'll have to find a family-friendly neighborhood that caters to that lifestyle. But what makes a neighborhood kid-friendly? Here we will discuss some of the qualities that define a family-friendly neighborhood.

Good Schools

One of the key components that you will need in a family-friendly neighborhood is a top-notch public school. Parents often look into good schools because they want the best educational opportunities available for their children. Researching and finding an academic and supportive environment where their children can learn and grow determines where parents will purchase their home. GreatSchools.org is the most popular resource for finding out the quality of schools in any given area.

Also, use your realtor. As experts in the area, they should be able to steer you into the right school district for your child's needs. Parents should also consider the proximity of the school to their home so they can determine what their commute time will be like. Is the school located on their way to work or 30 minutes the opposite direction? This will be important if they have to drive their kids to school or if their children will be close enough to walk to and from school on their own.

Low Crime Congestion

Everyone wants to live in safe neighborhood and parents take this into more consideration when they have young children at home. Typically, communities with low crime rates have higher property values and, since those homes are more in demand, they won't last long on the market. But before you make that offer, it's important to scope out the surroundings of the community for signs like adult-only businesses, heavy congestion and busy intersections, noisy late night establishments, or dangerous railroad tracks. You should check out the neighborhood at various times of the day to see who is out and about. Ask yourself if you would you feel comfortable walking alone at night. If you see more bars instead of family-style restaurants and toy stores, then you may want to consider another neighborhood.

Kid-Friendly Amenities

Do you see a lot of kids playing outdoors, strollers parked on front porches, or swing sets in backyards? These are just a few things that parents should look for when scouting for the ideal environment for their family. Outdoor amenities and activities should be readily available in the community for kids to spend their idle summer days. If the neighborhood has a public pool, playground, clubhouse, parks, camps, or a community center, then you are probably in a family-friendly neighborhood. Kid-friendly communities usually have cul-de-sacs as well as plenty of open space and bike paths where parents can walk along with their children without having to worry about traffic and dangerous road crossings.

Meet Your Neighbors

A telling sign of a family-friendly community is the camaraderie between neighbors. Good neighbors often take pride of ownership of their home by maintaining it, which usually translates into a stable, mutually beneficial environment. Neighbors look out for each other and are more likely to be involved in community events, town meetings, and neighborhood watch programs. Building a bond with the homeowner living next door also allows for parents to socialize or get some help when needed in a pinch. They can alert you to what's going on in the neighborhood if you were out of town or can walk your dog if you are running late. This type of close-knit setting also provides a positive space where your children can play with your neighbors' kids and form new friendships. Another bonus is if your kid and neighbor's kid go to the same school then you can take turns carpooling.

Daily Necessities

Sometimes you need quick access to grocery stores, restaurants, banks, and doctor's offices. These conveniences attract families with young children and are typically located in or around family-friendly communities. Parents should look into areas that have these necessities nearby because it can make a difference in your busy day. If your kid gets an ear infection, you'll want to be able to have a pharmacy or doctor's office nearby so you can get your little one on the road to recovery. It's also convenient to have kid-friendly restaurants in the area for hectic nights when you don't have time to cook a meal at home.