Real estate with kids: find a place, make nice with the neighbors, and more

We'll be rolling out fresh tips for surviving the city with kids this Family Week, but we also dug through the archives for our best advice on the apartment search, handling kid-related building etiquette, and eventually, helping your kid lock down their own slice of NYC real estate:

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Finding the right neighborhood for you (and your brood)

• On the hunt for a family-friendly apartment, keep an eye on the building's pet policy and proximity to playgrounds, and beware the walk-up.
• Don't forget to look up the schools (and school zones) near your prospective apartment before taking it.
• And if the whole school situation is giving you hives, remember there are a lot of options for elementary-aged kids.

Keeping the peace once you move in

• We've got techniques for meeting the neighbors halfway in a building that's not necessarily kid-friendly...

• ...and safely childproofing every room of your apartment (even the bathroom).
• If your neighbors really dislike noisy kids, here's how to avoid eviction in a co-op.
• An easy way to stay on your doorman's good side: Don't let your kids order him around or make him a de facto babysitter.
• While we're at it, don't make the building's hallway your go-to place for time-outs.
• And, tempting though it may be, resist the budget-friendly urge to put your kid in a windowless "bedroom."

Landing your kid an apartment of their own

• If you're hoping to snag a rental for your college student before they start the school year, it can be done—with a little extra paperwork.
• More advice for parents renting on behalf of their kids: what neighborhoods are best for shares, how to handle the roommates, and where to look to save on broker's fees.
• Signing on as a guarantor? You'll still want to take some precautions.
• And if you're looking to buy, condos are likely to be much more accepting of a co-purchase than co-ops.