HOW TO CHOOSE A NEIGHBORHOOD YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE Build a Life, Not Just a Home
There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a home. Most people tend to focus on things related directly to the house, such as the location, size, condition of the appliances, and, of course, the cost. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not just buying a house but a place in a community. You’ll spend a good portion of your time exploring the surrounding area as you go to the grocery store, take the kids to school, and enjoy something to eat from local restaurants. That’s why it’s so important to consider the surrounding area before submitting your offer.
may outgrow the playground, but they still need an outdoor space to explore, which is where parks and hiking trails matter. Plus, there’s nothing better than walking through a green space with your loved ones. STORES, RESTAURANTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS You should spend time outside the house at some point, so having resources to meet your needs is vital. Whether you want to look for a new outfit, enjoy a date night away from the kids, or simply need to restock the fridge, you want your new home within reasonable driving distance of the things you want or need. Check the distance to the closest grocery store, clothing retailer, restaurants, and entertainment destinations like movie theaters, arcades, and bowling alleys. SCHOOLS At the very least, you should examine your distance from the closest public school or your chosen private school. Additionally, it can help to research the school district and, if possible, visit some schools in person to confirm they’ll help meet your children’s needs and align with your own academic values.
Here are three community-related features to consider before purchasing a home for your family.
GREEN SPACES Parks, playgrounds, and hiking trails are great places to relax and let the kids burn off some energy, but not every neighborhood has them in abundance. If you have little ones and are not planning on investing in a personal playground for your yard, you’ll want to drive around your potential new neighborhood to ensure they have somewhere for your kids to play safely. As your kids age, they
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
Inspired by Delicious.com
INGREDIENTS • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp baking powder • 3/4 cup self-rising flour • 3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped • 2/3 cup brown sugar • 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped • 1/2 cup hot water Toffee sauce • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
TAKE A BREAK
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