When you’re deciding where to move, the city and state are just the beginning—the neighborhood you settle in can make all the difference in your family’s life. Choosing the right neighborhood comes with understandable stress and pressure, especially when you factor in kids. The best neighborhoods for families should have strong safety, education and community presence.
We empathize with families who are relocating. It’s a time-consuming process that can be stressful for the whole family. In our decades of experience, we’ve helped families settle safely and stress-free. We’ve rounded up a few U.S. cities and neighborhoods that we think are perfect for families in search of a welcoming, safe environment.
What Makes a Neighborhood Great for Families?
There are many perks of suburban living, but city life offers its advantages as well. When relocating your family, you’ll want to consider a few factors that will contribute to your overall comfort, including:
- School Quality: Look into the school district that serves your potential neighborhood. Which school would your child attend, and what kind of information can you find out about the curriculum and teaching methods? Which after-school activities or sports teams are available?
- Safety: Check out the city’s crime rating. Are certain areas safer than others? How is the law enforcement presence?
- Community: The best neighborhoods for families have a strong sense of community. Do you have a library or other community resources available? Does the park district regularly host community events?
- Green Space: Kids need a place to run and explore. Are there parks and playgrounds a short distance from your potential new home?
- Access to Amenities: Some neighborhoods have clubhouses available for residents. Will you have access to these spaces when you move in?
- Cost of Living: Take a serious look at your finances and what kind of environment your budget can afford. Does the quality of life match the cost of living in the neighborhood? Does your budget comfortably cover moving expenses?
Best Neighborhoods in Austin for Families
Circle C Ranch
This Austin neighborhood offers multiple pools, community centers, playgrounds, trails and nearby golf and tennis clubs. It also covers nine schools in its park district. A reality show called Welcome to the Neighborhood was also filmed in Circle C Ranch in 2005!
Mueller
This neighborhood prioritizes sustainability through energy-efficient initiatives. For families who love to spend time outdoors, 20% of Mueller is also dedicated to parklands, so each residence is within 600 feet of green spaces.
Westlake Hills
The suburb of Westlake Hills prides itself on creating a family-oriented environment for residents. It provides plenty of resources to feel at home, including community events, safety seminars, a library, an art committee and more.
Best Neighborhoods in Dallas for Families
Lakewood
A historic neighborhood near downtown Dallas, Lakewood is home to a bustling shopping district and vast green spaces, including a children’s adventure garden. The neighborhood also serves a Montessori charter school and is in close proximity to the lake.
Preston Hollow
Your jaw might drop when you see the charming mansions that decorate the streets of Preston Hollow. This neighborhood has close access to some of the city’s top private schools, making it a winner for those who prefer private education. Preston Hollow is also considered one of the safest in North Dallas.
Coppell
This suburb has a large family population, which improves the chances of building a strong community when you move in. There’s also no shortage of small businesses that stimulate the local economy.
Best Neighborhoods in NYC for Families
Park Slope, Brooklyn
With tree-lined streets and historic brownstones, Park Slope is a grounded place to be in Brooklyn. It neighbors Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to take the kids for a day at the park. And because it’s Brooklyn, you’ll also be in a hub of culture, music and diversity.
Forest Hills, Queens
Spider-Man fans might recognize this New York borough, but Forest Hills offers a laidback charm for families seeking festivals, museums and other family-oriented attractions on any day of the week. Residents also have access to 12 public schools and academies.
Battery Park City, Manhattan
Located in southwest Manhattan, Battery Park City dedicates about one-third of its development to parklands. Local residents love the neighborhood’s walkability, especially the waterfront views of the Hudson River.
Best Neighborhoods in Chicago for Families
Lincoln Park
One of the friendliest neighborhoods in Chicago, you’ll always find families walking through Lincoln Park. It’s home to the always-free Lincoln Park Zoo, calm beaches and lots of kid-friendly activities and parks.
Beverly
This neighborhood boasts historic architecture and top-rated public and private schools. It’s great for families who want to experience a tight-knit community with festivals, farmers’ markets and neighborhood development initiatives.
Edison Park
Although it used to be a suburb, that’s exactly why Edison Park residents love this Chicago neighborhood. It strikes a healthy balance between urban and suburban to give it a close-knit feel. The neighborhood also hosts family-friendly events at least once a month, coupled with community parks and child-focused organizations.
Best Neighborhoods in Denver for Families
Washington Park
Residents of Washington Park love to take advantage of the neighborhood green spaces. You’ll always find families walking, biking or doing lakeside activities. Community leaders also love keeping residents updated on neighborhood initiatives and community planning.
Central Park (formerly Stapleton)
Another of Denver’s parklands, Central Park features various recreational and fitness amenities for families, including athletic fields, bike paths, playgrounds and an amphitheater.
Highlands Ranch
This quaint neighborhood in Denver, sometimes referred to as the Scottish Village, is small but mighty. It’s a quiet destination for families who prefer a suburban lifestyle while still maintaining access to the bigger downtown area.
Best Neighborhoods in Seattle for Families
Ballard
Families in pursuit of trendy boutiques, restaurants and attractions will love Ballard’s modern vibe and Scandinavian heritage. The district mainly serves elementary schools, making it a great spot for families with young children.
Magnolia
This neighborhood emphasizes community betterment initiatives. Board members lead beautification projects, advocacy efforts and a strong support for shopping local. There’s also a diverse events calendar packed with sports leagues, festivals and fairs, movie nights and networking opportunities.
Ravenna
Parks and greenery combine with charming architecture in this walkable neighborhood in Seattle. The public schools, outdoor activities and diversity come highly rated by residents, making this neighborhood a hot spot for families.
Planning Your Family’s Move
Now that you’ve read a rundown of our favorite family-friendly neighborhoods in major U.S. cities, it’s time to prepare your relocation. As you get ready to move cities, keep these tips in mind to make for a smooth transition:
- Engage your kids in the process. Moving the family is a big deal! Keep the kids informed and excited about the move by showing them pictures of potential new neighborhoods. Knowing what to expect will also help them adjust to their new surroundings. We’ve even compiled a list of kid-friendly movies to ease their discomfort with moving.
- Figure out your housing. In a suburb, determine which characteristics—such as the number of bedrooms or lawn size—you want for your new house. If you’re moving to a city, will you own or rent your home? Does a historic home align with your preferences?
- Research schools and amenities. As you pick out a home, investigate good schools for the kids and amenities your family can access.
- Plan your move with a trusted partner. The key to a successful relocation is having the proper help. As a full-service mover, trust that Wheaton will get you to your new neighborhood with ease.
Our team of agents and movers can help narrow down your moving process to make the trip less stressful for your family. Get in touch with a local agent today.
Why Families Trust Wheaton World Wide Moving
Choosing the right neighborhood for your family is key to ensuring you have a happy life in your new home. Planning as far in advance as possible also helps ensure you make a sound decision and buy a home you’ll absolutely love for years to come. That’s where Wheaton comes in.
Wheaton’s expertise with interstate family moves won’t just take a heavy task off your plate; it’ll also ensure you arrive without a hitch. We’re committed to stress-free, compassionate relocations with all services from packing to storage.
Get in touch with us for a free estimate on your family’s move!
