Relocating Your Family: How
To Find the Town Right for You
by Sue Shellenbarger
From The Wall Street Journal Online
May 30, 2006
Question: My husband and I are moving with our three teenagers to the New York City area from Minnesota, and we'd like to avoid communities that seem very materialistic. How can we assess community values before moving?
-- S.W., Minnesota
Answer: I'd start with some Web research to identify target towns. HomeFair.com and BestPlaces.net offer free city comparisons on climate, transportation, crime and other elements of community life. SchoolMatch.com provides comparative school data for $34 per school. Once you've narrowed your list, Suzanne Murdoch, a consultant manager for Impact Group, a St. Louis relocation-and-outplacement concern, suggests zeroing in on particular attributes.
If you want a low-key, family-oriented community, look for towns with a high percentage of homeownership, reflecting stability. Housing costs should be average or above average for the area -- but not so high that middle-income families are priced out of the market. Seek communities with a high proportion of families with children. Spend time on the public-school Web site to assess extracurricular activities, student-teacher ratio and the vitality of parent-teacher organizations. Check the Chamber of Commerce Web site to gauge the quality of, and community support for, civic, charity and volunteer activities. How many churches or synagogues does the community have, and how healthy and active are they? Even if religious affiliation isn't a factor for you, the presence of houses of worship may reflect a focus on family commitment.
Finally, talk to people in town. Visit the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. Arrange a tour of schools, including time to talk with administrators. Finally, take a leisurely windshield tour. While all this requires work, it should yield long-term dividends in the form of a great community fit for your family. "Finding the right community that reflects your values can be a challenge, but it can be done," Ms. Murdoch says.
Email your comments to rjeditor@dowjones.com.
