Opendoor’s 2023 Family-Friendly Cities

The great outdoors. For many families, access to outdoor spaces is a major factor when deciding where to put down roots. Spending time outside improves your health, and can help kids’ learning, behavior and mental well-being. 

Opendoor’s 2023 Family-Friendly Cities celebrates communities across the U.S. that offer outdoor spaces and parks. While last year's list highlighted locales that had a small-town feel with big city amenities nearby, this year's reflects families’ desire for community, simpler living, and an opportunity to build a network of like-minded families. 

2023 Family-Friendly Cities:

1. Somerville, MA

2. Berkeley, CA

3. Cliffside Park, NJ

4. Arlington, VA

5. Watauga, TX

6. Chandler, AZ

7. Denver, CO

8. Portland, OR

9. Valley Stream, NY

10. Garden Grove, CA

11. Coral Gables, FL

12. Bellaire, TX 

13. Ann Arbor, MI

14. Mission, KS

15. Avondale Estates, GA

Breath of fresh air. Time spent in green space has been associated with reduced stress levels, and overall better physical health and well-being. While access to major city amenities is still desired among families (like returning favorite Avondale Estates, GA), our 2023 locations also offer close access to parks, recreation, and kid-friendly entertainment. 

There are six new cities on our list. Number one this year is Somerville, MA which has a total of 60 parks; 100% of its residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Garden Grove, CA is close enough (yet far enough) from Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, making it an automatic favorite for kids, and Berkeley, CA boasts 48 parks with kid-friendly spaces like Tilden Park and the Lawrence Hall of Science. 

It’s no surprise that cities like Denver, CO and Portland, OR continue to appear on our list. They each have more than 300 parks, and Denver has nearly 300 days of sunshine, making it easy to maximize time outside. Kid-friendly attractions are also top of mind in Coral Gables, FL with its Venetian Pool, and families in Ann Arbor, MI love the Hands-On Museum.

From outdoor movie nights and summer camps to pumpkin patches, farmers’ markets and splash pads, outdoor programming encourages communities to come together and be active. 

Family features checklist. If your family is looking to move in the near future, there are a few home features to consider.  Smart home technology can be an automatic time (and energy) saver. According to our 2023 Home Decor Report, updated appliances are a must for 42% of home buyers. Home features that use motion-sensing technology or voice control help to limit the spread of germs and free up hands for multi-tasking, like turning on “Bluey” while packing  lunches or pouring breakfast drinks. 

Open-floor plans continue to be a priority for parents. This layout encourages seamless movement from room to room, and makes it easy to keep an eye on the little ones. Single-story homes are also ideal for many parents who are first-time buyers prioritizing safety first, as well as ease of use and convenience. 

Family life is always busy. Opendoor can help when you’re looking to make your next move and embrace the many benefits of the great outdoors. Our self-touring tool can be a game changer for viewing homes on your own schedule. Visit Opendoor.com today to get started.

Methodology:

The best cities for families are identified by analyzing and averaging the number of OpenStreetMap ‘family friendly’ tags that are within 3 miles of all addresses in a city where Opendoor Brokerage operates. Tags include: bench, community centre, drinking water, garden, kindergarten, museum, park, picnic site, playground, school, swimming pool, and supermarket.