Renting with children can be a difficult task, but finding the right apartment will make things much easier. There are many factors to consider when looking for an apartment that is kid-friendly.
Depending on what each person is looking for, the location, residential community, amenities, space, and layout of an apartment all play an essential role in choosing your next home. But these factors are even more important when you’re renting with kids.
In this case, it may no longer be feasible to choose a small apartment to save on rent or even live downtown. Rather, living close to schools or outdoor spaces, and renting a larger apartment become a must.
With this in mind, we thought of some aspects that every parent should consider before signing their next lease. So, while you’re searching for apartments for rent in Washington, DC (or wherever you want to raise your family), here are some things to look for.
Look for a Safe & Kid-Friendly Neighborhood
You will have questions about renting with children that would not be an issue if you were renting by yourself. In order to get a kid-friendly apartment, it is important to know what you should look for in the rental ad and how the process works when renting with children.
When you have kids, it’s essential to check out the neighborhood and surrounding area, as well, before even considering a potential apartment to lease.
In particular, make sure that you would live close to good schools. Doing so would ensure that your kids have access to the best education, while also making it quick and easy to get them to and from school.
Along the same lines, having parks nearby will enable you to spend time outside with your loved ones without having to go too far from home. Plus, depending on the neighborhood, you may not even have to take your car if you can walk there. So, make sure to do some research on the neighborhood when you find an apartment you like.
A Residential Community with Kid-Friendly Amenities
While living in a safe and family-friendly neighborhood is important, the residential community is just as important.
When renting with children, there are a few key things to look for in an apartment complex in order to ensure their safety and comfort.
Given a parent’s busy schedule, leaving home is not always practical. For this reason, ensuring that the residential complex and community provide amenities for kids is essential when deciding on an apartment to rent.
Some of the featured to look for include an on-site playground, a pool, and an elevator (in case you have a stroller that needs to be carried up and down from your floor to the ground level). Also, if you have school-age children who are going to school online, a good Wi-Fi connection is also important.
Renting with Children Needs a Large Enough Space
When renting with children, size definitely matters. You’ll want an apartment that’s large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.
While you may have been fine with a one-bedroom apartment at one point in your life, now you’ll need at least two bedrooms, and maybe more, depending on how many kids you have.
You want to make sure your kids have their own room and space for playing and sleeping. Furthermore, a spacious apartment also ensures that your family won’t feel cramped in the apartment. And, if it comes with large windows that allow natural light to come in, even better.
Renting With Children: A Perfect Bathroom & Kitchen
If you are renting with children, there are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing your new home. The bathroom and kitchen are two of the most important rooms in a house, so you’ll want to make sure they are both suitable for your family.
The kitchen is usually a gathering spot for the family. As you prepare meals, your little ones may need help with their homework, or they might just want to keep you company or give you a helping hand. Therefore, an apartment with a large, eat-in kitchen with plenty of counter space is essential. Also, ensuring it comes with modern appliances will allow you to manage kitchen tasks more efficiently.
Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure that the bathroom comes with a bathtub. While a stand-up shower is practical for a quick shower, when you have kids, running a bath is a much easier way to get them cleaned up.
A Washer & Dryer is a Must if Renting with Children
If you’re renting with children, it’s important to have a washer and dryer in your apartment. This will provide easy access to wash large amounts of your kids’ dirty clothes whenever you need to.
Alternatively, if the apartment you’re interested in doesn’t have a washer and dryer in the unit, make sure that they are at least on the same floor as the apartment. Anything further will just be too much of a hassle as you’ll have to find a way to do laundry while keeping an eye on your little ones.
When renting with children, there are a few extra specifics to look for when searching for an apartment for rent. And, while these are only some of them, make sure to filter your search based on your needs and wants to find the best home for you and your kids.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.