Making The Most Of Metro Living For Healthy Family Life
Many Americans were raised to believe that a single-family home with a big yard and a white picket fence is the absolute best place to raise a family. Yes, that’s a wonderful scenario, but for families living in a large city like Houston, Austin or Dallas, it’s simply not a reality. City dwellers know that the best environment for their children goes beyond a spacious floor plan and that an apartment or condo can still be home sweet home for their kids as long as all of their other important needs are met.
What are the basics that children need to be happy and healthy? Well, love, of course – good parents provide that no matter where they live. Children also require a nutritious diet, a good education and social interaction. And perhaps most importantly, a safe living environment that allows for plenty of outdoor activities is a must for kids – and you can find that in many Houston apartments.
A Safe Haven
City apartment complexes are gated or provide security systems that the average house wouldn’t have, including security personnel. A well-constructed apartment building will include smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, evacuation plans and emergency equipment that many homeowners don’t think to install. True, there are more and less desirable neighborhoods in every big city, but there’s nothing inherently unsafe about raising a family in an apartment. In fact, neighbors in an apartment complex are often eager to look out for one another and work together to keep the environment safe and pleasant for everyone.
Education
Living in a city apartment doesn’t mean your kids will receive less of an education than their suburban counterparts. The city of Houston is home to dozens of school districts and state-approved charter schools, including multilingual programs and special education programs for children with special needs. In addition there are approximately 230 accredited parochial and private schools in the metro area.
Outdoor activity
They may not include big yards, but most condominiums and apartments are going to offer something not every home owner can afford – a swimming pool. A pool in the south may not be a necessity, but in the summer months a pool can certainly feel like a lifesaver, especially when you’ve got bored children. Playing at the pool will give you and your kids a chance to know your neighbors better and get more connected to the immediate community. Keep your kids safe at the pool by always providing supervision and making sure they understand and follow all the rules of the pool.
Creative outlets
The cultural and creative opportunities available in downtown and metropolitan areas are practically unlimited. Living in a city apartment puts you in close proximity to dance lessons, music lessons, acting classes, Gymboree, art classes and all types of sports organizations. For special occasions, your family can check out The Health Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, see an opera or attend the Houston Ballet. There are dozens of movie theaters, entertainment complexes and family-friendly restaurants to explore together. You don’t even have to spend money to provide your children with a little culture in Houston; many amazing activities are absolutely free. You can visit the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Zoo or enjoy one of the cities many beautiful parks.
Just because you’re in an apartment instead of a traditional house doesn’t mean you can’t create a safe, healthy and stimulating environment for your children to grow up in, especially when living in a city with the kind of amenities Houston has to offer. The most important thing to remember is that your kids will feel at home if you do.
