How to Find the Best Schools in the Best Neighborhoods
If you have children – or see them in your near future – then choosing a school is likely a top priority with your move. In fact, if you are flexible when it comes to geography, you may be selecting the school before you even start looking at real estate. If this sounds like you it is important that you are not basing your decision solely on hearsay and trends; otherwise you could end up very disappointed and making a payment higher than what you had planned on. Here are a few mistakes to avoid, so you don’t end up regretting your choice.
- Don’t Focus Solely on Test Scores – Test scores say a lot about a school and the learning environment, but they do not tell you everything. A school with slightly lower test scores could have more targeted classes or extracurricular activities that your child would thrive from.
- Don’t Make a Decision Without a Visit – If you are moving cross-country then maybe an in-person visit is not an option for you. However, if you have it in your means to tour the school while it is open it is important that you do so. You can learn a lot about an educational facility just by observing its working environment. Some schools are more than willing to allow you to sit in a class. Take advantage of this, if it is an option.
- Don’t Forget to Do a Little Digging Online – The Internet can be a very valuable tool when it comes to researching schools. GreatSchools provides school ratings and test scores while SchoolDigger has a tool that allows you to compare schools side-by-side. The National Center for Education Statistics can give you plenty of information, too.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Explore Neighboring Towns – Say you are moving to St. Louis and have your heart set on one district, but the homes in the city zoned for that district cost more than you were looking to spend. Chances are good that this district also includes neighboring towns that may be considerably less expensive. Lower pricing and a great district may make a slightly longer commute well worth it.
- Don’t Engage in Bidding Wars in a Trendy Neighborhood – There are always going to be a couple of neighborhoods everyone wants to live in because it is the new trend. That trend will fade. Then you will be stuck with an overpriced home. Check out your options before doing this.
Moving is challenging, but when you add kids to the picture it can be downright stressful. With a little effort, you can find a school district you are comfortable with and a house you love that is in your budget.