Once you start a family, the requirements surrounding where to live begin to change. You might not care as much about being close to nightlife and care a whole lot more about being close to kid-friendly amenities instead. Knowing who lives in the neighborhood is another thing you might be concerned about. Here are a few tips on how to find the perfect child-friendly neighborhood to settle into with your family.
Talk to a Realtor
A realtor has an interest in selling you a home, but she’s also going to be a great resource for a wealth of information. She’ll be able to tell you the neighborhoods that have lots of families, the best schools, nice parks and playgrounds, and close to things like shopping, restaurants, and family entertainment. She’ll be even more helpful if she has kids of her own.
Look for Kid-Friendly Amenities
Many Katy properties such as Liz Carter & Team Realty Inc are close to parks and other recreational activities. This makes most of Katy a great option for families, but dig deeper to look for properties that are closer to kid-friendly activities. Living within walking distance of a park or playground is much more child-friendly than having to get in the car and drive—even if it’s only a five minute drive.
Check out Playtime
In the afternoons after school and on weekends are prime time for kids to be outside playing. Take a drive through some prospective neighborhoods during those times and look for kids playing outside. Look for bus stops, kids walking to and from school, or playing outside, as well as kids toys. If all you see are a lot of seniors, or indications that only adults live in the neighborhood, it might not be ideal for families.
Safety First
The homes might be gorgeous and it might be an ideal location in terms of commuting to work and getting to necessities, but how safe is the neighborhood? Are there railroad tracks or heavily trafficked roads nearby? Are there plenty of (working) streetlights? Where will you park? Would you feel safe taking your dog for a walk or walking with your kids near or after dark? If the place looks great but gives you a sketchy feeling, it might not be the right neighborhood.
Ultimately, child-friendly on paper doesn’t really matter. Child-friendly is the best neighborhood for your family. One filled with kids, kid-friendly activities, but also safe and comfortable feeling overall is the ideal. You’ll know when you’ve found it.
