Considering a move from San Francisco to one of the Bay Area ‘burbs? If so, chances are you to-do list is growing by the minute. Between scouting communities to weighing the pros and cons of public versus private schools to, of course, finding THE house, a move to suburbia comes with a host of considerations big and small — and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
Enter the Suburban Jungle: Suburban Jungle has a personal SUBURBS STRATEGIST who works with San Francisco area families looking to make the leap from urban to suburban, helping them navigate life outside of city limits. They’re pros at putting the pieces together, and experts on all things suburbia. So how do they recommend kicking off your search? With these five questions, which will help inform your search and drive you towards the perfect town for your family.
1. Ask yourself, “Is now the right time to leave San Francisco?”
While Suburban Jungle is focused on all things suburbia, they recognize not all families are ready to move from the city right now. Start by really assessing if now is the right time to go. The answer may be yes, it may no or it may be never — plenty of families stay in the city forever. While the ‘burbs are enticing, they’re not going anywhere! Also, believe it or not…there are indeed optimal times to make them move…the suburbs strategists can elaborate on ideal timing!
2. What town is right for my family?
No two suburbs are the same and it’s important you find a community that aligns with your family’s personality, needs and lifestyle. Jot down a few things you’d love to have in your new town — maybe it’s access to amazing parks and trails, a beachfront community or, even, something walkable or bikeable. Start your search with towns that align, then dig in and see if you can imagine yourselves there — hanging with your neighbors, sending your kids to the schools, heading to weekend hotspots, and everything in between. Remember, what you see is not always what you get…and don’t judge a town simply by the restaurants or the main street. You need to understand who lives there and why — -to see if it would be a good fit! The Suburban Jungle Strategy team works with each family to understand the true intangibles of each area.
3. How long is “too long” to commute?
Everyone wants a quick commute — but everyone also has a different view of what “quick” means. Decide what you’re comfortable with and how your lifestyle impacts your AM/PM routine. Does your spouse work? Will you need to be in the city late? Is 45 minutes too long? An hour? And remember, not everyone takes public transportation — plenty of suburbanites drive, carpool or bike! As a reminder, don’t just think about the length of the commute, but the quality as well! Is there traffic? Can you never get a parking spot? Is there never a seat available or is the bus/train always running late?
4. What will childcare look like?
Will both you and your spouse work post-move? Will someone work from home? Are you considering a nanny, au pair or daycare? Just like in the city, there are tons of childcare,scenarios but, often, towns lean one way or the other. Chances are you don’t want to be the only stay-at- home mom in a sea of nannies, or sending your kids to daycare when all the playdates are happening after school.
5. What kind of school “feels right?”
Everyone wants to send their kid to a “great” school. But, just like the commute, everyone has a different opinion of what that means. Think about the type of education you want for your kids. Public? Private? Charter? Language immersion? Big? Small? Something else? There are countless options and once you begin refining your priorities you’ll do doubt start narrowing your search. Remember, your definition of a good school might be different than someone else’s, so just make sure you create your inventory of what you want your education to look like!
These questions will help get your suburban search on track — but there’s a lot more to weigh beyond these core factors. Suburban Jungle contributed to this article and can help your family explore the Bay Area ‘burbs and, ultimately, find the right town that fits your lifestyle and unique needs. And best of all, their services are FREE. Start with their interactive online questionnaire to start your search with your Suburbs Strategist.
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