Moving to a new city
How do I find a rental in a new city when moving with kids?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Start with schools, because in many US districts a child's school depends on the home address. Confirm the attendance zone with the school district directly, then look for rentals inside it. Start earlier than a single person would, since family-sized rentals are scarcer, and plan the move around the school enrollment calendar.
Listings often name a school, and they are sometimes wrong or out of date. Look up the exact address on the district's boundary tool or call the district office before you apply.
- Enrollment: schools usually ask for proof of address, such as a signed lease or utility bill, so sign in time to register.
- Fair housing: the federal Fair Housing Act protects families with children, so a landlord cannot refuse you or charge more because you have kids (qualifying senior housing is an exception).
- Occupancy: landlords can set reasonable limits on how many people live in a unit, and local codes vary. A common rule of thumb is two people per bedroom.
- Older buildings: for housing built before 1978, landlords must give a lead paint disclosure. Ask about it if you have young children.
Check the practical things on a tour or video call: stairs and elevators with a stroller, laundry on site, a safe place for kids to play, window guards on upper floors, and the walk to school.
If you cannot line up a family home in time, a furnished rental inside the right school zone for a few months keeps the kids settled while you search.
Want the whole picture? Read How to Find Housing Before You Move to a New City.