Strong community ties are gaining popularity among families living in Charlotte neighborhoods. More and more we are seeing community gardens, playdates and neighborhood-wide get-togethers.

If your family is currently residing in, or looking for an area, where there is a homeowners association (HOA), you've made a smart move (literally): studies conducted by the University of California Irvine found that young children are more likely to stay out of trouble and less likely to get into fights when they live in a "civically involved area".

Researchers believe this may be due to the fact that adults living in these neighborhoods help to look after each others' children. This "it takes a village to raise a child" mentality could mean great things for local schools as well because it may indicate that children will have stronger relationships with peers.


Even if you don't live in an HOA community (or choose not to), find a neighborhood with other like-minded folks who seem to care about the sidewalks, parks, speedbumps, etc. as much as you do. You may just get a call in a few years from neighbor Sally who said she saw your little one walking down the street with a cigarette in her hand! (Just kidding, we're all raising angels).   :)