Choosing the right neighborhood is important. Your neighborhood will be a big determiner of how happy you are in the home you buy. That’s especially true if you have children or are thinking of starting a family. Let’s face it: some communities are more family friendly than others. So what are the factors you should consider when choosing a neighborhood? Well, according to one new analysis of the best areas to raise a family, the list includes schools, crime rate, child care options, walkability, cost of living, and availability of family activities. Of course, no area is perfect and you’ll have to make some compromises. For example, smaller towns typically have better safety ratings than larger cities, but metropolitan areas will have more access to attractions like museums, amusement parks, and zoos. In other words, you’ll have to prioritize which neighborhood amenities are most important to you. As for the analysis, it determined the best place to raise a family was Cary, NC, followed by Frisco, TX, Naperville, Il, McKinney, TX, and Virginia Beach, VA. (source)