Raising children entails a special mix of joys and challenges. Combine it with the stress of buying a new house, and it’s no wonder a homebuyer can feel overwhelmed!

If you have children and are looking to buy a new home, it’s important to choose a town where your children can grow and thrive, academically and socially. Communities that offer both excellent schools and a plethora of recreational and cultural activities will most certainly rise to the top of a homebuyer’s list.

To me, there are three essential ingredients to consider in your home search, especially if you have a full nest!

One: The local school system rankings

Schools are one of the biggest factors in many homebuyers’ housing decisions. According to Realtor.com, as many as 91% of homebuyers are influenced by school districts when making their final home selections. It makes sense – excellent teachers and a vibrant learning environment help prepare children for success in their college years and beyond.

Homebuyers considering northern New Jersey will find highly-rated school districts in our area. The Millburn Township public school system, for example, is one of the best school districts in New Jersey – and the nation! The district is rated #14 in the U.S. and #2 in New Jersey. The school district of South Orange and Maplewood is another excellent school district; its crown jewel, Columbia High School, has earned the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education among many other honors.

Other top northern NJ schools include Deerfield Elementary in Millburn, Glenwood Elementary in Short Hills, Maplewood Middle School, and Millburn High School. According to government data for the 2014-2015 school year, Columbia High School boasts a 91% graduation rate, and Millburn High School, which has won its own Blue Ribbon Award, has an extremely impressive 98% graduation rate.

Two: Family-friendly recreation offered by the town

Living near a park can add so much to a family’s quality of life. Parents and kids alike can enjoy the outdoors, winding trails for jogging or biking, playgrounds and athletic fields for recreational team events.

Northern NJ has no shortage of beautiful parks. The largest parkland in the region is the 2,100-acre South Mountain Reservation, which spans parts of West Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn and features the expansive South Mountain Recreation Complex. The Complex houses the Regatta playground, the Turtle Back Zoo, and the Codey Arena for indoor ice skating.

In Short Hills, there’s the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, comprised of 16 beautiful acres of preserved woodlands. What’s more, it’s a park geared towards children. The afterschool Art Bungalow for ages 5-8 offers hands-on creative experiences. Other programs during the school year promote nature preservation and learning. The Arboretum even has options for private birthday parties! Other family-friendly northern NJ parks include Maplewood’s Memorial Park and the Loantaka Brook Reservation headquartered in Morris Township, both with numerous athletic fields and picnic spaces.

Three: Neighborhoods with nearby cultural activities

In an article for the Huffington Post, career consultant Stacie Berdan suggests that cultural fixtures such as museums, libraries and performance venues foster “global children” who appreciate the world’s diversity and grow into sophisticated adults.

In northern NJ, there are many important cultural establishments for children to explore. For example, the Thomas Edison National Historic Park in West Orange is a unique place where adults and children alike can view exhibits about the storied American inventor. In classes at Millburn’s renowned Paper Mill Playhouse, kids can take drama classes or study improvisation, voice and performance. Similarly, in Maplewood, The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts hosts Theatre Project Jr., which nurtures budding talent in acting and playwriting.

There’s more! The [words] bookstore in Maplewood gives young people a chance to fall in love with literature. At the Pierro Gallery of South Orange, children and adults alike can enjoy the visual arts. There’s even the annual North Jersey Regional Science Fair where gifted high school students present original projects in math or science.

Northern New Jersey: A Near Perfect Place to Raise a Family

I can’t imagine a better place for children to grow and flourish than in northern New Jersey. Our communities have amazing schools, a vast array of recreational options and cultural enrichment to suit every interest.

Are you considering a move to northern NJ? I would love to assist you. Contact Victoria Carter at (973) 220-3050 or email victoria@victoriacarter.com, and we’ll get started on finding the right home in the right community for your family!