Life’s a juggling act, isn’t it? Finding the right daily balance that allows time for work, family, and fun pulls you in a lot of directions. One of those directions likely includes…commuting. The commute from home to work, and home to your child’s school can make or break a busy schedule. Like finding the right job, finding the right school for your kiddo may not always mean it’s the closest to home. Most families find they have to make sacrifices somewhere, and a creative daily schedule can often make it work. It may be as simple as leaving for work a little earlier to accommodate a school drop-off en route, or seeking out supplementary after-school activities to keep kids supervised long enough for the work day to end.
In an ideal world, a great paying job and a school perfectly tailored to your child are both conveniently located close to home so that everyone can maximize their free time. Reality is often so different, and some tough choices may need to be made.
Children often have specific needs when it comes to finding the right school. For some families, the choice to structure their professional roles around their children’s needs is effortless, while others don’t have the luxury of turning down a job or asking for a flexible schedule to ensure their children’s education takes top priority. With these two competing priorities, you may find yourself having to choose one over the other.
Finding the right school for your child might require you to look for schools further from home. Access to technology and extra classroom assistance, specially trained teachers and administrators, competitive academic programs or fields of focus, and extracurricular activities may all play a role in your decision-making. Factoring these in may make your decision to add extra time to your daily commute feel worthwhile.
More often than work, school can become the center of a family’s community. Selecting a school with the right academic programming and a culture that resonates with you is important. Which interests and activities do families that attend this school participate in? Is there an emphasis on the arts or athletics? Are community service opportunities or projects that benefit the environment readily participated in? Or do families tend to socialize together away from the school environment? Knowing this may help you understand all that your child will benefit from during the school day and how you and your family may also find social opportunities within this new community.
Holt Homes are built with families in mind, affording owners access to vibrant and engaging communities. A few in particular have become particularly desirable to families due to their exceptional and conveniently located schools. You may be interested to learn more about…
Nestled in the Tualatin Valley with easy access to Portland, the coast, wine country and the charming small community of Sherwood, Middlebrook is served by a fantastic school district. With four conveniently located schools including Elementary, Middle, High School and a Charter School, your family is sure to enjoy this family and education-focused community.
Click here to learn more about Middlebrook.
You’ll find not one, but two Holt Homes communities in Happy Valley. Both are a quick 30 minute commute from Portland International Airport, and offer easy access to plenty of green spaces, trailheads, shopping and grocery stores. For families looking to find the perfect fit for their school-aged children, the Centennial and Adrienne C Nelson school districts offer a lot to choose from.
Click here to learn more about Pleasant Valley Villages.
Click here to learn more about Scouters Mountain.
A dream come true for families of all ages, this community is teeming with opportunities to run, jump, and play. With access to miles of trails, numerous parks and activities, and a vibrant community center, there’s so much to love about Tehaleh. Located in the celebrated Bonney Lake School District, fantastic schools are just a stone’s throw from home.
Click here to learn more about Tehaleh at Glacier Point.
As a busy family, you’ll have to get creative about scheduling so that work, school, and fun activities are all made possible. Be strategic with your commute! Can you create a schedule that reduces doubling back, multiple trips, or the need to leave work early? Are there after-school programs that allow you to leave work in the evening and pick up your child on the way home? Or perhaps other families are going the same way your family needs to go. Teaming up with other parents for carpooling is a great solution. Is your child old enough to safely ride public transportation? Check to see if there’s a bus or light rail system that could alleviate some of your daily commuting time. Whatever solution you come up with, make sure it’s sustainable for you and your children allowing for restful mornings, nourishing meals, homework in the evenings, and of course, time together as a family!
While most school districts offer programs outside of school hours, community centers and local organizations near your home are also a resource for keeping kiddos entertained and engaged while parents wrap up the work day. Look for rec leagues, after-school clubs, and adventure camps. And, you will find that even some Holt Homes communities include Community Centers that offer activities or even small family groups that organize after-school activities.
More than just outstanding and beautiful homes conveniently located to desirable amenities, Holt Homes communities are planned with access to education as a top priority. That’s why you’ll find that so many home buyers seek out Holt Homes as a place to start a family or find a new home that affords them access to prized school districts.
You’ll find Holt Homes across Oregon and into Washington, with each location offering a comfortable community close to schools, work, and commerce. And each with its unique profile to meet your specific needs. Communities such as Reed’s Crossing located right in the center of Hillsboro, OR, with its sprawling green spaces and proximity to some of the state’s largest employers. Or Laurel Woods in the quaint town of Cornelius, OR. boasting easy access to farms, vineyards, and local eateries and music venues. The East Mountain community in Eugene, OR, provides all you could want out of the Mid-Willamette region with its rivers, forests, and of course, the University of Oregon.
Whether in a bustling community like Eugene, small and calm like Cornelius, or close to a larger metro area like Hillsboro, each Holt Homes community provides proximity to quality education, an effortless commute, and countless amenities– you’re sure to find your perfect fit!