It was hard to pick an appropriate title for this article. The current one kind of sounds like you’re picking out an apartment FOR babies and kids to use, perhaps all by themselves (Lord of the Flies style). But saying “How to Pick a Downtown City Apartment WITH babies and kids” almost makes it sound like the challenge is in the apartment hunt itself. To be clear, I will be covering what to think about and look for as you search for a livable downtown city apartment in which you will be raising babies and/or young children.
This topic will be divided into two separate blog posts. In this first post I’ll cover thoughts on location and neighborhood. The second blog post will focus on the apartment itself: what features to avoid or seek out, ideal layouts, and more.
Our Background & “Qualifications” on this Topic
We have been parents for over 5 years now…and we have only lived in the suburbs for 6 of those months. We spent 2 years in Philadelphia followed by 3 years in Seoul, South Korea. In both of these cases we lived downtown. Like, buses honking, taxi stands, urban parks downtown. It was SO FUN to be right in the heart of all the action!
My boys were both obsessed with all the wheels they could see from our apartment windows. That love has been replaced by neighborhood garbage trucks now that we are back in the suburbs.
It was a huge transition when we first switched from suburban life (huge Target stores! huge parking lots!) … to city life (walking & public transit! constantly surrounded by people!). We’d been living in a suburb of Seattle, all tucked away in the forested hills. I was nervous to find the right city apartment when we first made the leap. I was 6 months pregnant with our first baby and wasn’t sure what would be important to look for as our little family would grow over the next few years.
I felt more confident moving from Philly to Seoul (the transition from suburbs to city was much more difficult than moving abroad for us, turns out!) and we found an apartment that absolutely felt like home during our years there.
Needless to say, we learned a lot in the years we spent in apartments downtown with little ones. If you can navigate noise complaints from neighbors and a subway map then you will be on your way to Urban Family Success.
There’s no ONE RIGHT APARTMENT that will fit every young family. Interests and vibe and budget are all so individual. So this list is what I would keep in mind and consider when choosing the right apartment for YOUR family!
Location is Everything
First off, you need to figure out WHERE within the city you are wanting to be.
It’s tempting to pick a location near a garden that you’ve explored once and LOVED, or somewhere nearby your favorite restaurant, etc. But I would recommend starting VERY practical and talking about:
Where will you and/or your partner be commuting to daily?
This will likely be a work office or school campus of some kind…and it’s probably the reason you’re moving to a big city in the first place! Your commute(s) should be the very first factor considered. Is the commute pleasant? Is it expensive? Is it long?? Because chances are if you’re a young family then time together in the mornings and evenings is crucial! This will probably lead to a bigger discussion on what transportation is like in the city you are moving to, and how you are both planning to get around day-to-day.
Transportation
If you haven’t already, take a really close look at a map of the city, and do some research– talk to people that live there! read blogs and forums! Here are some questions to start with:
- How do most residents get around?
- Is there a subway system that’s expansive, safe, and affordable?
- Do most people use the bus system?
- How walkable is the city?
- Is the transportation generally kid-friendly? Stroller-friendly?
- Are you planning to bring (and use) a car regularly? If so, what is parking like at various places downtown (such as your workplace, parks, grocery stores)?
In my experience, Kid Destinations (zoos, museums) usually have wonderfully large (paid $) parking lots with ample places to park. You’ll probably be in luck with a church building or large grocery store, too. However, most other destinations… street parking or $$$ timed lots are probably what you’ll be looking at.
If you are planning on bringing a car and using it regularly, here are some questions to ask when conducting your apartment search:
1. Are the parking spots covered or uncovered? This makes a huge difference in winter!
2. Are spaces assigned or is it a free-for-all? Some apartment parking structures can be 3 or 4 stories tall; finding an open spot (or where your partner left the car!) means you may need to allocate an extra 10-15 minutes when parking or getting out the door each morning!
3. How much is parking per month? This can impact your monthly rent quite a bit!
Where is your child’s daycare/preschool/elementary school located?
This is crucial because you’ll be going there daily, too (or at least a few times a week). And it’s significantly harder to commute WITH a young child than without one. Many families I knew chose to live within walking distance (or a short bus/subway ride) of their children’s school and have one of the parents commute a bit further. That said, your chosen city may have a huge variety of pre-K/daycare options available, in which case you should also think about…
Where are the Grocery Stores??
Each year that passes, grocery shopping becomes a bit more flexible (Hi Amazon Fresh, Hello Fresh, Grocery Delivery Systems, and Take-Out arriving on your doorstep). Having everything delivered to your doorstep is certainly a convenient option, but it often takes at least 24 hours to arrive– and delivery fees add up quickly.
I will go to my grave declaring that having a relatively-affordable grocery option within walking distance of your apartment is a GAME-CHANGER in a big city. Truly. You don’t realize how long a 20 minute walk to Trader Joes is until you’re walking home with the groceries and it starts to rain and it’s the worst. Or it’s 9:50 pm and you realize you’re out of milk or eggs but you really need to grab some last minute! Even with a car, city parking is a hassle to deal with for short errands.
Easy access to an affordable grocery store, whether by car or foot, can save hundreds of dollars each year. THINK: Aldi, Wal-Mart, Trader Joes, Costco. If you are out of reach of options like these, you may find yourself making way too many stops to the tiny boutique market around the corner from you that charges $8 per small jar of salsa.
Where else will you be wanting to go regularly??
Are there parks nearby? Where is the church building you plan to attend? Is there a gym you’re confident you’ll be attending regularly? Are there parks nearby? Yes… that is listed twice. It’s that important. And on a similar note: Are there playgrounds nearby? (hint: these are not the same as parks, as my 5 year old will tell you). What about the public library, or indoor activities to take your little to during the winter? A place to let your kid bike or scoot around is necessary as they reach 2+!
We have always been within walking distance to river trails & running trails and it’s made a huge difference in all of our sanity. If that is an option for you, seize the day!
I would NOT choose an apartment based on where your friends or acquaintances are living/planning to live. Even if you are besties and planning to see each other often.
Cities are so transient. Someone may move at the drop of a hat and you’ll be left in a neighborhood that may not have been the best fit for your family. Also, cities are full of THINGS TO DO! It’s way more fun to meet up somewhere new each time & explore the city together!
Ambience
I know I said you shouldn’t pick an apartment based on the location of your favorite restaurant, etc… but there is something to be said about LOVING the neighborhood and feeling really good about the surroundings.
Great first impressions are hard to argue with. If the apartment building is a great fit as far as commute and budget… then at this point you can (and should) include how much you adore the streets & neighborhood.
If you aren’t someone that cooks frequently, it’s smart to make sure there’s a variety of food options.
We were happy to find places that were populated, bustling & energetic…but also pretty low key at all hours of the day. Think about what vibe you want and make sure it’s a good fit for your priorities!
Safety First
With a young family, you’ll want to live somewhere you feel safe. Cities are dynamic and full of movement.
The most effective way to see if you are comfortable in a neighborhood is to visit the area you’re considering at night & notice whether an area is well-lit and decently populated. Ask residents if they generally feel safe in the area.
Neighborhood safety ratings can be useful if you are pretty unfamiliar with the city you’re moving to.
Think Ahead
If you are planning to be in the area for awhile then keep a growth mindset. Moving apartments very well may be worth the extra money you save in a smaller apartment the first year or two… or maybe not (moving with toddlers is not my favorite past-time). For instance, are there schools near you for next year, when your child will be attending?
Share Your Experiences!
How did you decide which neighborhood was the best fit for your family? What places were you grateful to be nearby? Which locations were you frustrated to be far away from??
Watch out for Part 2 where we will go into great detail about apartment features to seek out or avoid at all costs!
Such a thorough analysis – I wish I would’ve read this before picking our last few apartments. 🙂 So far our highest priority has been a short commute for the hubs. I’m sure as the kids get older and more involved and independent we’ll have to re-prioritize!