If you're a parent, one of the biggest factors you'll consider when choosing where to buy your next home is how kid-friendly the community is. It's important that you pick a place where your kids will feel safe, receive a good education, and really be able to have fun. Making memories when kids are little is important to many parents, and where you live can play a big role in the memories you make with them. 

The following neighborhoods are what we consider to be the top four kid-friendly communities less than an hour from Orlando (and lucky for you, they're all neighborhoods we've previously featured in our Central Florida neighborhood series, so just click each one for more information) :

• Bellalago
• Celebration
• Lake Nona
• Harmony

   

Now that you know which neighborhoods we feel are most kid-friendly in our area, you may be interested in learning a little more about what exactly makes them kid-friendly... Here are a few things we feel are most important when you're buying a home with kids in mind:

The amenities of the community are kid-friendly.

This one just seems obvious, but it's true. When looking for a community that is good for you kids, look for one that features amenities they can take advantage of. While it might be great for you that a community offers world-class golfing or a 5-star restaurant, your kids may not feel as excited about these features. All four of these neighborhoods offer amenities with kids in mind. Celebration and Harmony both have numerous pools and playgrounds, along with a splash pad area where kids can keep cool year-round (and we know keeping cool in Florida is a must!).

Living in Florida, especially this time of year, has many perks. Living in one of the walkable communities within a half hour of Orlando is even better, though! “Why,” you ask? Not only are there a ton of benefits to living in a walkable community, living in a walkable community in Orlando is like living somewhere completely different than you really do. While you can still have the big city benefits of Orlando, your community will most likely offer more of that small town charm that many homeowners are after.

November means we're sharing even more fall-themed events in Kissimmee and beyond. But what are we even more excited about this month? The cooler weather that November brings and the official start of the holiday season! Grab your calendar and start penciling these in...

25th Annual Pioneer Day

Take a step back in time when you visit the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek for the 25th Annual Pioneer Day. You can take a tour through each of the historic buildings and hear the story behind them as told by the docents, who will be dressed as pioneers. While there, be sure to visit the kids zone where the littlest pioneers can hear stories, do "chores", and make crafts. There will also be live music, good food, and more! This year the event will take place on November 11th and 12th from 10 am to 4 pm.