Research choices for family-friendly apartment

Moving with kids is an endeavor that many don't envy. Add to that the needs of kids: schools, parks and safety, and parents have a whole lot of research on their hands.

But don't despair. With today's great online tools, comparing possible apartment complexes and their neighborhoods isn't as hard as your child's math homework.

The easiest way to find out more?

"Ask questions!" advises Janice Richards, regional manager for Camden. "When comparing communities, ask the questions that are important to you. If you want to ensure there are community events, at the time of visiting ask to see pictures of the last event. If fitness is important to you, ask about their fitness area and if they offer any classes at the property."

And keep in mind that overall, Nevada stacks up pretty well against the national average for health and well-being. The National Survey of Children's Health shows that Nevada's school absentee rate is lower than the national average, obesity in children aged 10-17 is slightly higher, and school engagement is slightly higher, but participation in extracurricular activities is significantly lower and screen time is much higher.

Schools

Because school districts are fluid and change whenever the Clark County School District redraws the zoning map to maximize school capacity and distribute students, renters should check the district zoning maps for school assignments based on the apartment complex address. The school district offers a simple search tool at www.ccsd.net/schools/zoning/search.

Your best bet might be to use the National Center for Education Statistics to find all the nitty-gritty details on a school and then glean through the reviews on GreatSchools for personal accounts.

GreatSchools, an independent nonprofit, rates individual schools based on test scores as a starting point for parents to compare schools and also offers community ratings and detailed user reviews. As always, consider those ratings when comparing, but don't rely solely on that information, as it can be biased.

SchoolDigger offers boundary maps, test scores, rankings and reviews, but keep in mind that the score assigned to the school is based on reviewers' marks. With so many schools and so few reviewers, one commenter can vastly change a school's score.

Also, consider distance to schools and child care and how your children will travel to and from school.

Play space

Children need room to grow and play — and to burn off all that energy before their parents lose their cool. Playgrounds are a key amenity for family-friendly apartment complexes. They can range in size, complexity and safety. Look for infant swings if your little one needs one, a safe surface under slides, and fences around the area add another layer of protection when little Johnny runs off while you snap a shot of Suzie's first slide.

Playgrounds don't have to be complex to be fun, but make sure there's enough to spark a child's creativity and it's in a safe space — away from the road and parking areas, and more toward a courtyard area.

But don't stop there. Look beyond the complex for parks and community centers that offer child-centric classes.

Clark County Parks & Recreation offers more than 1,600 acres of parks and play space, pools, community centers and sports, fitness and arts programs. Check for proximity to these resources to keep children busy and involved in positive community programming.

The Clark County Library District offers 14 urban branches throughout the valley (and more to outlying areas). Be sure to find one near your new neighborhood and check out the children's section and programming, which even includes homework help and free tutoring.

Other perks to consider when checking out the neighborhood: museums, community events, nearby retail and grocery stores and even indoor play spaces.

Safety

Perhaps the most basic necessity for families is a safe place to call home. Check potential apartment complexes for proper lighting at the entrance, the parking area, along trails and pathways, the mailbox area, laundry facilities, clubhouse and any shared space; deadbolts on the doors and good locks on the windows; good general maintenance; graffiti; cleanliness; a gate around the pool; and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the units.

But don't stop there. Investigate a potential neighborhood. Check the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's handy crime map for a look into crime being reported in the area.

Also, check the Nevada Sex Offender Registry to see the proximity and tier of offenders in the area. Offenders are assigned to one of three tiers based on risk. Tier 3 is the highest risk. Neighborhood mapping gives a quick look at offenders in the area.

"Visit the property during the day, during the evening and on the weekends," said Kathy Cassell, a crime prevention specialist with the department "You are looking for what the property looks and feels like at different times."

It never hurts to check with the county for are any code complaints lodged against the management company and to talk to a crime prevention specialist.

Neighbors

In the end, neighbors make or break a neighborhood.

Take a moment to introduce yourself and ask how they like the location, the amenities and the management company. See if they have any concerns and ask about the speed of service.

Also, take a good look around. Often, families are best suited to live among other families. Sandwiched between college students having keggers will keep a child awake at night, but also, consider that living between two old widows could make you the disturbance during "Jeopardy!"

While you're at it, check to see how much noise you can hear from the neighbors. Good, thick walls might be a necessity for a family with young children who just can't contain their excitement about everything.

"If you move in, make an effort to get to know people around you," Cassell said. "No matter where you live, it is important and wise to know your neighbor."