If you’ve got kids and are planning to move, you’ve got your hands full! Before you start looking at homes and packing up boxes of toys, you want to be sure that your new home offers the amenities you are seeking for your school-aged children. Sounds simple enough, but there’s really a lot to consider.
You might start your research on the Internet, but you’ll also want to speak directly with a real estate agent, school systems, and maybe even the local law enforcement agencies. Like the purchase of your home, your child’s education and recreation are investments for the future, and should be based on careful investigation of the facts.
You want a quality school system with low student-teacher ratios and high test scores. You might also want close proximity between your home and the school(s). It’s highly recommended to take a “test drive” to determine your commute times between work, school and home – and be sure to do it during rush hour! Commute length can be extremely important when you place a high value on your family time together!
School is obviously paramount, but don’t forget places like playgrounds, community recreation centers, libraries, houses of worship, and public transportation to all these destinations. Once you’ve found a neighborhood that suits you, talk to some of the residents, if possible. Neighbors know best!
