Home and Site Checklist for Families with Children
Short answer: When choosing a home and a residential site, a family with children should consider four matters together: safety inside the home (balcony railings, windows, stairs), the layout of the site (pool surroundings, separation of vehicle and pedestrian routes, play areas), the suitability of the plan for the family (number of rooms, storage, noise) and the proximity of the location to daily routes (school, healthcare, supermarket). When assessing a site, we recommend walking through it from your child’s point of view and in the flow of a school day.
This article has been prepared for families looking for a home in Northern Cyprus to live in or spend holidays with their children. We covered topics such as school arrangements, healthcare and area selection in our article on living with children in the TRNC; here, our focus is the home and the site itself: what to check at the sales office and during an on-site visit.
What should be checked for safety inside the home?
The most important items for indoor safety are balcony railings, window openings and stairs, which determine the risk of falling; these can be partly corrected afterwards, but if they are resolved properly in the project, the family will be much more comfortable.
| Item | What is checked? | Why is it important? |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony and terrace railings | Height, solidity, spacing between balusters, whether there are horizontal elements suitable for climbing | Directly affects the risk of falling for small children |
| Windows | Opening direction, whether a child lock or restrictor can be fitted, height of the window sill | Risk of climbing onto window sills on upper floors |
| Stairs (duplexes and villas) | Railing, step height, where a gate can be fitted | Carry a risk of falling for small children |
| Electricity | Residual current device, socket heights, whether socket covers can be fitted | Reduces the risk of electric shock |
| Kitchen | Position of the hob, whether cabinets can be locked | Access to hot surfaces and chemicals |
You can also carry out some of these checks on handover day; checks for railing solidity and the residual current device are included in our new home handover checklist article. Before purchase, ask about the railing type, window model and stair details in the floor plan and specification.
Which site arrangements are important for children?
The suitability of a residential site for families with children is determined less by the number of amenities it offers than by how those amenities are positioned: separation of vehicle traffic and pedestrian routes, control around the pool and the visibility of play areas from the homes.
- Separation of vehicles and pedestrians: Car parks and vehicle routes should be separated from walking routes leading to blocks and play areas.
- Pool surroundings: Controlled access to the pool area, non-slip surfaces, marking of shallow and deep sections, and a separate children’s pool if available. We explained the difference between private and communal pools in our article private pool or communal pool?.
- Play areas and shade: Because daytime temperatures on the coast rise to around 33 °C in July and August, shaded play areas and wooded areas are important.
- Line of sight: The play area should be visible from balconies or communal seating areas.
- Security and entrance: Entrance control for the site and night lighting.
To give examples from our projects, a kids’ club is among the project amenities at Dolce Mare Resort in Tatlısu and Esentepe Exclusive in Esentepe, while a play club is among the project amenities at Seafront Resort in İskele. In a site, as well as the presence of such amenities, their operating hours, supervision and effect on the service charge should also be asked.
How can the apartment plan be adapted to the family?
When choosing a plan for a family with children, storage, the position of rooms in relation to each other and noise are decisive alongside the number of rooms. Two apartments with the same gross area can suit family life very differently depending on the plan layout.
- Number of rooms and growth: A 2+1 may seem sufficient today for a family with one child, but within a few years a second child or the need for a study may arise. For example, Dolce Mare Resort offers options ranging from 1+0 to 4+1, and Dolce Vita Resort offers options ranging from 1+0 to 3+1.
- Location of bedrooms: Having the child’s room close to the parents’ room and separated from the living room by a corridor makes sleep and supervision easier.
- Storage: An entrance cupboard, storage room or car park storage for a pushchair, bicycle, toys and seasonal items.
- Wet areas: A second bathroom or toilet makes mornings easier.
- Floor selection: A garden floor provides direct access to open space, but noise and privacy are different; on upper floors, the lift and railings become more important.
To read areas correctly on the floor plan, you can refer to our article on reading a floor plan and gross net square metres. Which aspect the rooms face also determines how much a child’s room will heat up in summer; we explained this in our article on home aspect and sun direction.
How should school and the daily route be calculated when choosing a location?
For families with children, the location decision is often determined by the school; for this reason, when assessing a home, calculating the daily route between the school, healthcare facility and supermarket is as important as the square metres. In the TRNC, school options are divided into state schools, local private colleges and schools with a British curriculum, and their costs differ considerably.
| School type | 2026-2027 annual fee (approx.) | Effect on location |
|---|---|---|
| State school | No tuition fee; uniform, stationery and school bus expenses | Usually close to the neighbourhood |
| Local private college | Approximately 435.000–720.000 TL | Concentrated in and around city centres |
| British curriculum school | Approximately 7.200–11.500 £ | Limited in number; school bus distance is decisive |
Fees are based on early registration lists announced in May 2026 and vary from school to school; details and sources are in our article on TRNC private school fees 2026-2027. When assessing a home, ask these questions: Does the school bus for your chosen school stop at the site? How long does it take to reach the school and workplace in morning traffic? Where are the nearest healthcare facility and pharmacy?
Which questions should you ask during a visit?
When visiting a site, the questions below help you understand daily living conditions that are not visible in the brochure. Asking for the answers in writing makes it easier to compare different projects.
- Are families with children currently living in the site? Is there an opportunity to speak to residents in a completed project?
- Is the kids’ club or play area open year-round, is there supervision, and how is it reflected in the service charge?
- What are the pool usage hours and the rules for children?
- How is vehicle speed limited inside the site?
- Are school buses allowed to come to the front of the site?
- Are short-term rentals allowed? This affects the neighbour profile and seasonal density in the site.
Arranging your visit to coincide with the hours of a school day gives a realistic idea of traffic and noise. We explained the general planning of a home viewing trip in our Cyprus home viewing trip article.
Frequently asked questions
Is a garden floor or an upper floor more suitable for a family with children?
A garden floor provides direct access to open space and stair-free access; it is practical for families with small children, but noise and privacy may differ because of proximity to communal areas. Upper floors may be quieter and have views, but balcony railings and window safety become more important. The decision depends on the children’s ages and the family’s daily routine.
Does having a kids’ club within the site increase the service charge?
The operating and supervision costs of a kids’ club, play area and similar amenities are generally reflected in the service charge. How much they are reflected depends on the site management plan and the scope of the service. Before purchase, ask for the written service charge table and which amenities are open in which period.
Can I change the balcony railing afterwards?
Because railings affect the external appearance of the building, changes in apartment buildings generally require the approval of the condominium owners. Therefore, it is easier to check the railing type and height before purchase. For short-term reversible solutions such as child safety netting, you can consult the site management.
Which school can children attend in the TRNC?
State schools, local private colleges providing education in Turkish and British curriculum schools are the main options. Registration conditions and fees vary according to school type; your residence status may also affect registration procedures. Confirm current conditions with the schools themselves and Ministry of National Education announcements.
How should a holiday home be chosen for a family with children?
For holiday use, proximity to the pool, beach and play areas, and the site’s operation during the summer season, come to the fore. School and the daily route are less decisive, but home safety is equally important. If you will leave the home empty for much of the year, also plan how maintenance and checks will be carried out while you are away.
To assess the apartment type and site suitable for your family together, contact us; you can review all our projects on our projects page.
This article is for information only; it does not replace legal, tax or financial advice. Last updated: October 2026.