How To Prepare Your Kid for The Real World And Lead Happy, Successful Lives

Move to the best neighborhood you can afford.

The best move parents can make for their children is to a neighborhood with excellent schools, more career opportunities and the opportunity to grow up with peers who value education, hard work and achievement. Note: you don't even have to be wealthy to make this happen.Although controversial, research has found moving to a better neighborhood is a better investment than tutoring and extracurricular activities like piano lessons. "Forty to 50 years of social science research tells us what an important context neighborhoods are, so buying a home in a safe and respected neighborhood is probably one of the most important things you can do for your kid," says Ann Owens, a sociologist at the University of Southern California. "There’s mixed evidence on whether buying all these other things matter. But buying into a great neighborhood provides huge advantages."