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Sarasota Living: 6 Ways to Tell If a New Neighborhood is Family Friendly... |
Finding the right home in a family-friendly neighborhood can be one of parenthood's most challenging responsibilities. When it comes to your children you want it all: quality schools, fun recreational activities, friendly neighbors ... the list is endless. Fortunately, many of the neighborhoods featuring Sarasota homes for sale have everything you need to meet your lifestyle challenges.
Our REALTORS® understand that the neighborhood you choose must be a safe and happy haven for your family. To guide your search, we offer Sarasota Living: 6 Ways to Tell If a New Neighborhood is Family Friendly.
- Quality Schools
A quality education provides a strong foundation for a lifetime of accomplishments. Before you settle on a new neighborhood for your family, it's important to check out the public schools. If you find out after your move that the local school system isn't up to your standards, it could cost you years of private school tuition.
You can find the data you need at school rating sites like greatschools.org. You'll see that many Sarasota schools are highly rated. - Low Crime
Safety is a critical factor in choosing a new home. As crime statistics in Sarasota vary depending on the neighborhood, you should do your research before you commit to a move.
Check with neighborhood police officers, state and local crime data resources, and national crime rating sites. When you visit neighborhoodscout.com you'll find a list of the 10 Safest Sarasota Neighborhoods. - Family-Friendly Fun
Sarasota neighborhoods have plenty of fun things to do. You can search the Sarasota County website at scgov.net for neighborhood parks, local beaches, camps, and natural resources.
Outside of your chosen neighborhood, you'll also find plenty of family-friendly venues worth exploring. The whole family will enjoy Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Ringling Museum complex, and many other exciting sites in Sarasota and nearby cities. - Friendly Families With Children
Wherever you decide to settle down, you'll want to make sure your children have lots of playmates. As children under 17 make up only 15-1/2 percent of Sarasota's population, you may have to search to find the right kid-filled community. When you find one that meets your needs, check it out. Take an early evening stroll through the neighborhood. Spend time on the playground. Make sure it's a kid-friendly community that's right for your family. - A Short Commute to Work
When you're considering your next neighborhood, it's important to think about your commute time. If you must travel a long distance to and from work, you'll have to establish alternate care arrangements for your children. That may mean daycare, before and after school programs, or leaving your children to fend for themselves. You'll also have to manage your children's emergencies from a distance. If you must hop on a bus or a train, or hit the highway, by the time you get back home the emergency may be over. - Controlled Traffic Access
When you have small children, it's important to live in a community with controlled traffic. Look for speed humps (or bumps). They force speeders to slow down or risk damaging their cars. Also, look for signs that restrict commercial truck access. Not only does traffic present a safety hazard for your children, auto and truck exhaust can contribute to harmful pollution in your neighborhood.
If you're planning a move to Sarasota, we can help. Contact Wagner Realty if you're buying a home and need help finding the right family-friendly neighborhood for your family.
