It’s no secret that being a single parent is a tough job, no matter how rewarding it may be. Single parents don’t have another to step up when they’re feeling overwhelmed, or someone who is just as involved to help make the tough decisions.
Moving to a new home is one of the most stressful situations that people outside of a combat zone will face. Combine the two, and it can put a lot of stress on everyone involved. Nonetheless, it is doable, and finding a home that everyone in the family is looking forward to moving into will smooth process over quite a the bit.
Find the Schools You Want
Since school is such a large part of a child’s well-being, this is a great place to start your search. Look at school reputations, but don’t stop at that. Take a walk-through during the school day if possible, and try to bring the prospective students with you.
The kids will accept a new school much easier if they feel that they’ve had some say in the process of selecting the school. This will help prevent their decision to hate the school before they’ve even seen it. Nobody likes having decisions made for them without their input.
Once you’ve narrowed the choices down to a few schools that you’d like to see the kids go to, you’ll know what neighborhoods to investigate.
Investigate the Neighborhoods
This is ideally done on a weekend. Look for neighborhoods with kids playing outside or at the park, a much better sign than a Saturday without a person in sight from the road. Bring the kids and give them time to investigate the recreation centers and parks; they’ll get a feel of how welcoming it is for them far quicker than an adult can.
You Don’t Have To Do It All Yourself
There are professionals whose job is to help people choose the right place for them, who already know the neighborhoods and the benefits/problems that they offer. A professional realty team, such as the Clement Group at RE/MAX Properties, Inc., isn’t just there to get the paperwork all done right, they are there to offer advice and recommendations on the neighborhoods in their cities.
It’s a big step, and will have a major impact on your family for years to come. Take the time to research carefully and choose carefully, and you’ll be glad you did.