Moving in with children requires a different approach than relocating alone. You’ll have to consider their needs and safety, among other things. This is why you’ll have to add “family-friendly” in your criteria when looking at real estate projects in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE.
For sellers and real estate agents who raised their own kids in the place, coming up with a detailed locale-focused listing may seem simple. You just need to write down the things your family loves about the neighborhood, and you’re done. Right?
But why stop there? Your community may have some other family-friendly features that your kids weren’t interested in or have already outgrown. In some cases, they may not have been able to try everything your neighborhood has to offer.
Because of this, you have to do a bit of research about the community. This way, you can make sure that you don’t miss any viable attractions that can be a big draw for family-focused home buyers.
Whether you’re a homebuyer or a real estate agent looking for a place to offer your clients, you might need some help to find such a neighborhood. Lucky for you, you can identify family-friendly communities by seeking these top six qualities:
1. Excellent Schools
One of the major qualities home buyers look for in a family-friendly neighborhood is accessibility to good schools.
The first thing that most parents would think about is the proximity of the school to their home. With this information, parents can determine their travel situation, whether by public transportation or private vehicle. Some might also like to know the school is close enough to home that their kids can walk to and from there.
Of course, proximity is only one factor. Aside from the nearest schools, you should also look at the school district’s rating and the overall quality of education provided in those institutions.
After all, it is every parent’s wish to give their kids the best educational opportunities available. This means it would be one of the key factors they would consider during the purchase of a place to settle in.
2. Safe and Accessible Streets
Of course, your family would need more than good schools. You also need a place where you can enjoy the great outdoors without getting worried every five seconds about your children’s safety and well-being.
Take a walk along the street in the neighborhood you’re eyeing and take note of everything you see. Some things you might notice are:
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Signages stating “Local access only” and “No thru street” – These signs indicate that the area has low traffic, which is usually equivalent to safer and quieter streets.
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Cul-de-sac – Cul-de-sacs are quiet and are only accessible to a handful of vehicles.
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Wide and even sidewalks – This street feature is ideal for family walks. It also means you can teach your children to ride bikes in the area with much less worry about their safety.
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Trees lining the street – Having a lot of trees lining the streets means you can have a more comfortable, shady summer in the neighborhood.
3. Low Crime Rate
When you become a parent, you accept the responsibility of ensuring the safety of your child. From the very beginning, you may have taken this role very seriously by baby-proofing your house, sticking to scheduled visits to the pediatrician, and keeping your little one out of harm’s way.
Because of this, families shopping for a house to settle in usually look at neighborhoods and communities with low crime rates.
Initially, rural areas and the suburbs may seem like safer choices compared to the city, but that may not always be the case.
Communities with low crime rates tend to have higher property values and often don’t last long in the market. This is why you have to make a decision before all the good houses are bought.
Of course, you still need to make it a point to scope out the surroundings for any red flags before you close that deal or make an offer to your clients. This may include:
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Adult-only businesses
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Busy intersections
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Heavy congestion
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Noisy evening establishments
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Dangerous railroad tracks
To make sure that the information you gather is accurate, visit the area during different times of the day. This will allow you to get a better understanding of the community and whether it is a viable choice for a family to settle in.
4. Great Entertainment Options
Communities also need various wholesome entertainment amenities to be considered “family-friendly.” Remember that families that play together, stay together, so you need to look for features and attractions that foster genuine family fun.
Check if there are a lot of kids playing outside, swing sets installed in backyards, and strollers parked on the houses’ front porches. Also, look for features that offer healthy activities for children, especially summer, such as the following:
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Public pools
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Community playgrounds
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Clubhouses
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Parks
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Community centers
5. Friendly Neighbors
Another thing that makes a community excellent for raising a family is friendly neighbors. When scoping out the area, talk to potential neighbors to discern what it’s like to live in the community.
Ask if there are families already living there. If there aren’t any, consider other housing options.
If families already live there, observe them during a drive-by. The camaraderie between neighbors is a telltale sign that the community is good for raising a family. Determine whether they look out for each other and take care of their community collectively.
6. Access to Necessities
Last but certainly not least is access to necessities. For someone raising a family, you must look for communities with quick and easy access to restaurants, banks, grocery stores, and doctor’s offices. This will ensure that those who live with children get what they need when they need it without much hassle.
Having necessities nearby can also do wonders for a busy day during parenthood. Children can get immediate medical attention in case of emergencies, thanks to nearby clinics and pharmacies. Hectic evenings can also be made better by nearby food service establishments in the area that offer child-friendly foods.
A Final Word
The term “family-friendly” has been used time and again, but not everyone understands it. This article can help you define what the word truly means and help you use it in your search for the perfect family-friendly real estate property for yourself or your clients.