Moving Your Family into a New Condominium

Moving into a new condo when you have a family can be a great choice; not only will you be raising your family in a community of close neighbours, you will also likely be surrounded by other families in a similar stage of life, allowing a greater potential for close-living friends for your children and you.

There are many important things to consider when choosing the right new condominium development for your family. The size and location are major factors, along with the available amenities and transportation options. Check for the type of schools in the area and if there is arranged transportation for young students; talk to other parents in the area about the schools and options to get as much information as possible before making a decision. Another factor to consider is how many college-educated residents live in the area; by having a better idea of what your neighbours do for a living and the level of education they have, you will be able to see the environment your child will be raised in.

Easy access to quality health care is among the top things to consider when you have or are planning to have children; be sure that you know how close your new home is to the nearest hospital or urgent care facility as well as doctor’s offices and walk-in clinics. The cost of living factors can play a major role in the city or neighbourhood you decide to live in and high homeownership rates can be a good way of checking how vested your neighbours are in the area. The crime rate is another important thing to be aware of before moving your family to a new home – look into any community watch programs that may be available, or start one in your new condo development yourself.

Recreation facilities and parks are also an important part of a new neighbourhood. Be sure to look into what sort of extra-curricular activities are offered in and around your new community for older children and daycare or playgroups for babies and toddlers to encourage social interaction and participation within the community.

Once you have chosen an area and a new condominium development, there are many ways to keep your family safe in and around your new home. If your condo is still being built, check into any upgrades that may be available; these could save you time and money if there are changes that you will need to make to accommodate small children.

One thing to consider is having carpet in your child’s bedroom; by having built in padding on the floor, you could prevent serious injury from inevitable falls. Lower door handles and light switches may also be an option for your child’s bedroom. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be strategically placed and while pre-wiring for telephone and cable, it may be a good idea to put in the wiring for a security system. Also, be sure to have reliable locks on all windows and doors. A peephole at child’s height on the front door is another option, or installing an intercom system can be useful for increased security. Front and back entries should be well lit and hedges should be trimmed back as well.

Brackets can be useful when securing bookshelves and heavy objects such as televisions to keep them from tipping if pulled on. Also, be aware of sharp edges on counter tops, tables and hearths; many rounded corner options may be available, or padding may be placed on these troublesome edges.

Of course, all electrical outlets should be covered with safety clips when not in use and radiators and fireplaces should be screened to keep the little ones away from danger. Appliances should be unplugged when they are not in use and drapery and blind cords should be shortened as much as possible and cut the bottoms of those that are looped. Cupboards, drawers and toilets can be equipped with child-safety locks to keep potentially harmful products away from young ones. Also, be sure to set your water heater to a temperature low enough to avoid scalding and burning if your child will be using taps on her own; a temperature of 120 degrees or lower is generally safe for family use.

By taking a few extra safety precautions and carefully screening your new neighbourhood, you will not only be avoiding many potential accidents, but you will also be better prepared if something should happen. Many new condominium communities are close-knit, meaning neighbours use the small-town approach in watching out for each other. Embrace this new community and participate in it so you are all working together towards keeping your family and those around you happier, healthier and safer.

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