Whether your child is a toddler, in middle school, or older, there are various important considerations to make when looking for a home. In addition to finances, you need to balance the current and future needs of your child to provide them an environment fit for their growth and development. In this article by The Country School House, we explore various qualities you should look for when renting a home with a child.
Research School Districts
Find information about the best school districts in the location you are interested in. Additionally, check whether your home will fall within the boundaries of that district. Making a high-ranking district a priority will help narrow your home search and ensure your child will have access to good quality education.
If your child is a teenager, expand your research to top-ranking colleges in and around the district.
Choose the Best Location
In addition to proximity to schools, here are a few other important factors to look for:
Safety: According to Millionacres, if you have a young child, having a house on a cul-de-sac is preferable to limit the risk from traffic and speeding vehicles. Similarly, if your house is located on a street away from major roads and highways it provides a safer environment for a child to wander. Additionally, when comparing homes, give preference to one which falls in an area with low crime rates.
Neighborhood: Look for a neighborhood populated by families with kids of similar age, making the transition easier. The best way to evaluate this is to drive around the prospective neighborhood during different times of the day, to get a feel for the demographic and also amenities it provides.
Amenities: Depending on location, the neighborhood amenities will vary. Living in a city such as Alexandria will provide your kids access to various parks, arcades, theatres, and other recreational facilities. If renting is your choice, you have an ample selection of properties. There are currently more than 580 apartments available for rent in Alexandria alone.
In comparison, living in a remotely located neighborhood like in Clifton could bring them closer to nature, provide open spaces to play, and be part of a closely-knit community. Using ApartmentGuide.com you can make accurate comparisons between different neighborhoods and amenities and choose the area that best suits your needs.
Focus on House Features
Bedrooms & Bathrooms: With a child, Financial Samurai suggests that having two bedrooms is the minimum. If you work from home, having a separate room for your child to play in can reduce distractions significantly. Additionally, as your child grows, they may need a separate bathroom, hence treat that as a requirement as well. Keep in mind that additional rooms will lead to an increase in rent.
Floorplans: Look for homes where the master bedroom and the kid’s bedroom is on the same floor, making it easy to manage and cater to their needs at any time of the day. When it comes to apartments, open floor plans allow your child more space to move around and makes it easier to supervise them while you work or are busy with house chores.
Plan Your Move
To have a smooth moving experience with a child follow these steps:
- Plan to move during the summer break, to avoid creating any disruption in your child’s education.
- Allow your child to have a tour of the house before finalizing, show them around the neighborhood and tell them about the fun activities they can do in the new area to build up enthusiasm for the move.
- Pack a “must-haves” box of your child containing their toys, books, food, linens, etc to keep handy during moving.
- Unpack your child’s belongings first and set up their new room in the house. Use familiar bed sheets and decorations to help them adjust faster, in addition to providing you peace while you unpack the rest of the house.
When looking for a kid-friendly home, do not sacrifice features such as a safe neighborhood and a good school district. Additionally, if you plan to live in the home for a long time, consider renting a larger space to cater to your child’s future needs.
The dedicated staff at The Country School House stimulate and challenge your child in a variety of activities appropriate to his/her development level, building self-esteem and self-confidence for the years to come. Reach out to us today for more info! 703-266-0747
Image Source: Pexels
