Safest Cities for Renters Raising Families

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If you’re looking for some of the safest cities to rent a home for your family, try the East or West Coasts. A recent survey by Rent.com revealed the best cities for renters raising families, and found towns in California and New Jersey ranked best for low crime rates and weather risks.

To determine the safest cities for renters raising families, the survey eliminated cities with crime rates greater than the national average and higher weather risks, such as tornadoes and hurricanes.

“Safety was one of our main criteria when selecting our top 25 cities,” Niccole Schreck, consumer insights and marketing manager for Rent.com, said in an email. “Areas with high risk make families susceptible to damage to their residence, risk of injury or worse.”

Other more family-friendly criteria included affordable rental rate, high rental inventory, high percentage of family households and high school scores.

“Having rental properties available at affordable prices is, of course, a necessity,” said Schreck. “Then families want other families as neighbors, a safe environment for their children and great schools, as well as economic stability and opportunity.”

The percentage of family households in each city had to hit 75 percent or more to be considered.

What the survey found were some of the most affluent, green and kid-friendly cities in the nation, according to Rent.com. The complete list of 25 includes 10 states from across the nation.

Here are the top 10:

10. Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Population: 24,894
Median Household Income: $71,999
Median Rent 2BR: $981
Percentage Family Households: 79 percent
Total Crime Risk: 15 out of 100
Great School Rate: 8.5 out of 10

Mt. Juliet is a suburb of Nashville and one of the state’s fastest growing cities with a population of nearly 25,000. It recently beat out Knoxville, Memphis – even Nashville – for the title of “Number One Business Friendly Community” in Tennessee and boasts one of the lowest tax rates in the state.

But the city still has a small town feel, surrounded by lakes and rolling hills, making outdoor activities readily available, from camping to horseback riding. Entertainment and shopping, though, are just a few minutes away, including Providence Market Place – the largest open air shopping center between Nashville and Knoxville.

9. Ridgewood, N.J.

Population: 25,271
Median Household Income: $146,748
Median Rent 2BR: $2,015
Percentage Family Households: 80 percent
Total Crime Risk: 16
Great School Rate: 9.5

Just 20 miles northwest of New York City, many residents of this small, affluent town work in Manhattan’s financial district. It’s considered a walking town, with a village green and an historic district that’s filled with a diverse mix of small locally-owned shops and major retail stores. It’s also known for its many culinary options, with more than 30 restaurants, including Carlo’s Bakery of “Cake Boss” fame.

8. Evans, Ga.

Population: 30,874
Median Household Income: $95,454
Median Rent 2BR: $2,251
Percentage Family Households: 81 percent
Total Crime Risk: 21
Great School Rate: 8.8

Evans is a small suburb just outside Augusta, Ga., home of the Masters golf tournament and the U.S. Army center Fort Gordon. Also named one of the best towns for families by Family Circle magazine, it offers top schools, restaurants, boutiques and Bartram Trail and Jones Creek golf courses.

One of the biggest entertainment venues in town is Evans Towne Center Park, which has a top-of-the-line playground, dog park, bicycle rental and newly-opened splash pad. There’s also an outdoor amphitheater where you can attend family-friendly festivals and catch concerts from big name acts such as Lady Antebellum.

7. El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Population: 42,584
Median Household Income: $118,148
Median Rent 2BR: $1,339
Percentage Family Households: 82 percent
Total Crime Risk: 22
Great School Rate: 9.2

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but just 20 miles from the state capitol of Sacramento, El Dorado Hills covers all the bases for families wanting easy access to the full California experience. Ski resorts, ocean beaches and state parks are all nearby.

Residents will find all the basic amenities as well – excellent schools, top sports programs and numerous outdoor activities, including Folsom Lake. In addition, a new downtown district, El Dorado Hills Town Center, offers entertainment, retail shops, restaurants and professional offices.

6. Darien, Conn.

Population: 21,155
Median Household Income: $183,743
Median Rent 2BR: $3,590
Percentage Family Households: 82 percent
Total Crime Risk: 27
Great School Rate: 9.5

Darien, known as “Dairy-Ann” by the locals, is one of two Fairfield County towns on Connecticut’s Gold Coast to make the list. The exclusive bedroom community on Long Island Sound has some of the best schools in Connecticut and its high school is ranked number one in the state. Enjoying much of the community is by “invitation only,” as there are four country clubs, a hunt club, a beach club and two yacht clubs for residents to join. But there are several public options as well, with six parks, two beaches and youth facilities available.

A couple of interesting facts about Darien: Its ambulance service, Post 53, is the only one in the nation staffed and run entirely by high school volunteers. And it has a new $24 million state-of-the-art, eco-friendly library.

5. Yorba Linda, Calif.

Population: 65,510
Median Household Income: $116,806
Median Rent 2BR: $1,574
Median Rental Rate 2BR: $1,574
Percentage Family Households: 82 percent
Total Crime Risk: 27
Great School Rate: 8.8

Sitting on the southern California coast, just 45 minutes from Los Angeles, Yorba Linda offers a wealth of entertainment options for families. It is right in the middle of everything fun – just 8 miles from Angel Stadium, 10 miles from Disneyland and 12 miles from Knott’s Berry Farm.

Residents can also enjoy many outdoor activities, from skiing to camping, with the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains just an hour’s drive away. The city is also known for its love of horses – there are miles of horse trails and three state-of-the-art equestrian arenas.

It is also the birthplace of former President Richard Nixon and home to The Richard Nixon Library and Museum.

4. Millburn, N.J.

Population: 20,179
Median Household Income: $171,968
Median Rent 2BR: $1,800
Percentage Family Households: 83 percent
Total Crime Risk: 4
Great School Rate: 9

This affluent town is located about 20 miles west of New York City and with the NJ Transit providing easy access to Manhattan, a large number of doctors, lawyers and professionals connected to the financial industries call Millburn home.

The schools are rated well above average, among the top three school districts in the state, with its high school receiving national ranking as one of the most academically challenging in the country. Families will find a wide variety of recreational activities – many available at the 36-acre Gero Park, which has a golf course, public pool, tennis courts and baseball diamonds.

There are also many cultural and community activities for residents to enjoy, including the Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey and the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary.

3. Tenafly, N.J.

Population: 14,670
Median Household Income: $133,401
Median Rent 2BR: $1,855
Percentage Family Households: 83 percent
Total Crime Risk: 18
Great School Rate: 9.5

Families are drawn to Tenafly because of its top-ranked school system and diversity – there is a mix of ethnicities making it an international community. Another feature that makes it appealing is its proximity to the George Washington Bridge. Many residents drive just a few minutes north to take it into Manhattan.

The borough is a mix of new and old with larger, modern mansions standing next to historic homes and registered landmarks. Those include the homes of suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and bandleader Glenn Miller, which are open to the public.

Tenafly’s downtown is filled with specialty shops and restaurants. Recreational options include golfing, swim clubs and soccer.

2. Ladera Ranch, Calif.

Population: 23,437
Median Household Income: $135,147
Median Rent 2BR: $1,793
Percentage Family Households: 84 percent
Total Crime Risk: 13
Great School Rate: 9.3

Ladera Ranch is a newer family-oriented community in southern California, between San Juan Capistrano and Mission Viejo. The first of its nine separate villages were built in 1999, just miles from the Pacific Ocean. Within each village, there are 10 or more neighborhoods that have their own parks, pools and playgrounds.

The community also has its own award-winning elementary and middle schools, a shopping district and lots of trails, making it a walker’s paradise.

1. Livingston, N.J.

Population: 29,407
Median Household Income: $134,358
Median Rent 2BR: $2,338
Percentage Family Households: 84 percent
Total Crime Risk: 4
Great School Rate: 9

Livingston is just the kind of upscale bedroom community families are looking for. It’s suburban living with easy urban access – it’s just 27 miles from Manhattan. The township also has a highly-rated school system, several shopping centers and hundreds of acres of parkland, including the 65-acre Memorial Park in the center of town. Residents can also enjoy the use of community pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and playgrounds, and can participate in youth and adult athletic programs.

Volunteerism is strong in Livingston, with some 40 committees and groups offering services throughout the community. It’s also home to one of the highest percentages of Jewish residents in any American municipality. There are six synagogues and 22 houses of worship.

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