When a baby comes into your life, your priorities change. You begin to worry about school districts and crime rates and family friendly adventures, but that doesn’t mean you need to move to the deep suburbs! Here are five cities that combine family-friendly atmosphere, great labor statistics and low crime rates to make great places to raise your family.
1Boston, Massachusetts
Boston has time and time again placed high on the list for places to raise a child. Boston offers varied family activities that allow you to get outdoors and learn, such as the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which takes you through 16 important locations in the struggle for independence. Need to get out of the house on one of Boston’s snowy days? Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History and watch your child delight in the 12,000 specimens on display.
Combine this with exceptional local schools, an abundance of cultural opportunities, and a low unemployment rate and this puts Boston at the top of our list.
2Nashville, Tennessee
Music City isn’t just about country music. The First Centre for Visual Arts has exhibits that change every six to eight weeks to keep your kids coming back for more. It also features hands-on crafts and interactive areas to get your kids learning as they work.
Nashville also has the Adventure Science Centre, a hands on environment that invites children to participate in activities. Kids a bit older? The Country Music Hall of Fame Musical Petting Zoo offers kids the chance to multiple musical instruments.
Looking for the suburbs? Brentwood, which is a suburb just south of Nashville, also boasts low crime rates and a dedicated police force coupled with ambitious schools.
3Dallas, Texas
This city of 1.2 million is known for its many great private and public schools. Outside the classroom there are many chances to extend your child’s learning experience, such as the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens 66 acres of national recognized attractions. Looking to get out into the fresh air? Grab the family and head for Trinity River Audubon Center, which offers a multitude of outdoor fun like archery, camping, hiking, kayaking and more.
4Richmond, Virginia
A history rich city, Richmond also offers strong private schools for the intelligent and ambitious child, especially so at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies.
Richmond has many artistic highlights as well, including the Richmond Ballet, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and the Richmond Centerstage.
Home prices are affordable in Richmond, with the median price of a home at about $145,000, which will allow you financial freedom to spend more time with your family.
5Colorado Springs, Colorado
The beautiful red mountains of Colorado Springs calls for the family that loves to explore the outdoors together. Seven Falls calls itself the “grandest mile of scenery in Colorado” and the 19-mile-long Pikes Peak Highway will make for interesting Sunday drives, as this is the world’s highest toll road.
With a diverse population, Colorado Springs welcomes your family to a city with a strong, military-driven economy and has multiple private and public schools as well as nine colleges and universities.
