I’ll start with a disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive look at raising a child here. We only have one child and he’s still a toddler. We have zero experience with any of the schools here. Take what I say here with a grain of salt (as opposed to usual, where you’re hanging on my every word, right?)

We love raising our son in Celebration. We moved here from Chester County, PA, a few months before our son was born. Back in PA we lived in a suburb of older homes, on a horseshoe street with no sidewalks that led to a busier street with no sidewalks. Winters were… well… what you would expect from living in Pennsylvania. So the climate and neighborhood here in Florida provide us more quality time outdoors, running and playing.

When we arrived here, two months before our due date, we had almost nothing in the way of baby supplies. There were a few books, but none of the essentials. Within weeks, we found everything we needed from neighbors who were a little further along than us. Our son’s crib was purchased from a couple around the corner. His change table from someone nearby in a condo. Many, many books and toys were acquired through the Front Porch or during one of the community-wide yard sales. And so on.

We feel fortunate to live in a community with so many generous other parents. We’ve made friends with other couples with children around our son’s age. There are well-maintained parks for children a short walk away from everywhere in Celebration. It’s safe here. It’s home.