Three Great Places to Raise Your Family in the U.S.

As soon as you learn that you are expecting your first child, your mind may shift to the quality of life that you can provide for that child. Many expectant parents make the decision to move into a larger home in a family-friendly neighborhood, or they make this transition within the first few years of a child’s life. However, there are other factors to consider before you choose to head to the burbs. After all, not all suburban communities are the same, and there are some very excellent places to raise a family in urban and rural areas as well. If you are thinking about relocating and giving your young and growing family a fresh start, these are some wonderful places to put at the top of your list.

Houston, Texas

If you prefer to raise your young family in a major metropolitan area, it makes sense to choose a location that has an excellent cost of living, a warm climate and a robust economy with plenty of great job opportunities. Because Houston is such a huge metropolitan area, there are numerous wonderful communities inside the city limits as well as just outside the city limits that offer all of the amenities that you are looking for. In addition to great schools and access to exceptional higher education schools, the area has an extensive number of larger and smaller parks, historical attractions, shopping malls, museums, a great zoo and more. The beach, the Kemah boardwalk, NASA and other great entertainment venues are also located a short drive away. There is always something fun to do with your family when you live in the Houston area. Most moving companies Houston are in high demand because of how popular the city is. In fact, Houston is one of the fastest growing major cities in the country.

Olive Branch, Mississippi

Olive Branch is a popular Memphis suburb, and it sits just south of the state line. The majority of its population is under the age of 50, so you can imagine that this is an active, vibrant community. While it has a young vibe, it also has historic charm and many gorgeous structures that add to the town’s personality. The very affordable cost of living is enhanced by low property taxes and low housing prices. While the area is affordable to live in, there are robust cultural venues and job opportunities just a short commute away in Memphis. Closer to home, families can enjoy a regular farmers’ market each week, seasonal movies outdoors on the lawn at Wesson House, a unique bonsai tree nursery and garden area and numerous parks.

Devon, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia offers its residents many exceptional benefits. This includes quality healthcare, great job opportunities, a wonderful climate and more. Philadelphia is also known for beautifully combining its rich history with a modern vibe. However, Philadelphia has very high housing prices, and this drives many local residents to live outside the city limits. Devon is a very small town with only 1,500 residents. It sits northwest of Philadelphia close to Highway 202, Interstate 76 and Interstate 476. This makes it easy for Devon residents to commute to Philadelphia for work and big city culture while still enjoying a very rural living experience in town. Devon is included in the award-winning Tredyffrin-Easttown school district. It is also home to the Jenkins Arboretum and the historic Devon Horse Show.

While there are numerous wonderful rural, suburban and urban areas where you could raise a family, some areas offer substantially better living experiences than others. Consider the type of environment that you prefer to raise your children in, such as rural versus urban communities. Then, spend time visiting some of the top areas that meet your needs before you commit to relocating a specific area. When you find a community that you and your family and find a job in that area, you can feel confident about relocating your family.

Tying the Knot? Five Potential Issues to Keep in Mind before Marriage

Tying the Knot? Five Issues to Keep in Mind before Marriage

Marriage is a major change in life, regardless of where in the planning process you are. Even if you’ve yet to get past the proposal, there’s a lot to consider and think over before taking the next step. You know you should be on the same page with your intended before the commitment is in effect, so take some time to make sure you are. Below are five topics to get the conversations started.

Financial Statuses

It’s an oft-mentioned fact that finances are a common stressor in a relationship. It could be that you’re better at saving than your partner, have a significant amount of debt, or simply disagree about budgeting. Whatever your concern is, it’s best to discuss it before it’s a problem in the marriage. While a Salt Lake City divorce lawyer will help you protect future assets in case of trouble, a financial advisor now can teach you to better manage money before it becomes a problem.

Children

The topic of children can be a dealbreaker for many couples, so it’s better to come to an agreement with your significant other before getting married. You’ll have to discuss several different issues, from whether you want any at all to when you want to try conceiving, not to mention how many you’d both like. You should also consider what you two will do if infertility occurs, as well as whether adoption is an option. Then there’s the question of child-rearing and education, since your approaches might not align. Waiting until after you’re married to broach these questions could cause heartbreak and strain, which is why it’s important to start early.

Chores

Chores may very well be the least exciting topic of discussion for a budding marriage, but figuring out the division of household labor can alleviate a lot of stress. Agreeing about who handles which chores is, for many couples, part of a successful relationship. Being able to deliberate what a fair share of work is, especially when one or both partners might seriously dislike certain chores, saves time and exhibits good decision-making. What’s more is that it sets the both of you up for respecting the other’s efforts and establishes a healthy living dynamic.

Location

Buying or moving into a new home with your partner is exciting, but it’s best to consider how it’ll affect your relationship if you plan on including marriage in the move. Where do you both want to live? How will that affect jobs and other relationships you have? The environment and culture of a given area may also influence your wedding prospects; if you’re unhappy where you are, getting married likely won’t change that. Whether you plan on staying in a given location also matters.

Compatibility

Loving and being compatible with your partner are not mutually exclusive. Do the two of you hold the same values, interests, and concerns? Are you “alike” beyond the romantic side of your relationship? Friendship is inarguably vital to a happy marriage, and while you two don’t have to be perfect matches for each other, it’s worth contemplating how well you two align. Knowing you and your partner see eye to eye on what matters can only help.

Whether you’re ready to take the leap or still having second thoughts, marriage requires careful thought and commitment to go smoothly. Talking about any issues you have with your partner ahead of time paves the way for less stress as you get closer to the aisle. Though you may end up putting a wedding aside for later, it’s better to solve problems than let them linger. The five tips above will help you know for certain.