Published by Programme B
Although most people think of fleeing the city once they start a family, there are others that would rather move there. Suburban living has been the standard for over a century for families, but the attitude seems to be shifting. In the suburbs, there is often a long commute to work, isolation from neighbors, and a heavy reliance on cars.
Some families would rather live in the city and have access to cultural events, amenities within walking distance, and a more diverse population. The thing is it can be tricky for a family to make the move to a city. In this article, we will go over some tips that help smooth the transition.
1 – Do your research
The first step is to take a deeper look at the city you plan to move to and go neighborhood by neighborhood. Most cities are organized in an organic way in which many neighborhoods have different identities. This makes some better or worse for families depending on a few factors.
If you’re moving to Toronto, for instance, you should do some research on the best neighbourhoods in Toronto for families and start there. At this point make a list of what is important for your area to have for your family’s needs. Beyond just what the schools are like there or access to a pediatrician you do need to consider lifestyle as well.
A park may not be as high on your list of priorities as it is for other families if you would rather your kids have access to things like museums, for instance.
2 – Rent first
If you’re planning to buy a house or condo then you need to be careful that you don’t end up in the wrong area or type of housing situation. You should try to do a sort of test run and see what you think about a particular area or property by renting first.
Take a year and get a feel for what you really want. You may have found the place that ticks all of your boxes, but living there proves to be different than you imagined. In this case, you just let the lease run out and buy a place somewhere that better fits your needs.
3 – Get involved
Kids are very adaptable, but the transition can be harder on them than for adults since their routine is severely disrupted. They are likely leaving some friends behind and will be missing their old life even if their new surroundings are a better fit.
Make sure to involve them in activities that they will enjoy and have them meet other kids who live in the area. Not only will this help them make some new friends, but it will also help them feel a part of the community where you moved to.
Look into some sports, music, or art classes to help them settle in and keep them distracted.
Photo by Юлия Горбачёва from Pexels