Deciding where to live is almost as important as picking your future home. After all, your new neighborhood is more than a physical location. You're joining a new community. It's a big deal. Every family is different, so it's important to keep those unique needs in mind. Here are a few tips to understanding what matters most to you and your family – and choosing the right neighborhood to fit.
Make a Neighborhood
Wishlist
You might already have
created a wish list for your dream home. Now, do the same for your ideal
neighborhood. While you might not be able to find everything you want in a
neighborhood that matches your price point and location, this exercise helps
you figure out what's most important.
Ask yourself questions
like…
- Do I want a busy, more active area?
- Does my family prefer quiet streets and
secluded houses?
- How important is it for us to be near
parks? (Consider too hiking trails, running paths, lakes, sport courts,
and playgrounds.)
- How close would we like to be to
restaurants? To shopping areas?
- How close would we like to be to a
fitness center, church, library, or the local community center?
- How far are we willing to commute to work
or school?
- Do we need to be near public transportation?
- Do we want dedicated bike lanes?
- Should the neighborhood have other
families like ours? (Do you have young kids? Would you prefer to be near
families? Or would you prefer an older community?)
- Do we want to be physically close to our
neighbors?
- Do we want a close-knit
community?
Get to Know the Schools
in the Area
Families are
particularly interested in learning about the schools in the area. A good
school can make or break a neighborhood for many people with children. Consider
looking into class size, student performance, graduation rate, and
transportation. Plan to move to an area with a school that fits your children's
needs and your family's lifestyle.
Even people without
children can look at local school systems as an indicator of the neighborhood.
Consider Crime Rate
You can find out the
crime rate in just about any neighborhood simply by searching online. It's a
good idea to check out an area's crime rate, especially if you're not familiar
with it at all. Keep in mind, a higher crime rate in the past doesn't mean the
neighborhood isn't safe. Only look at current crime rates.
Depending on the city,
you can likely find very detailed crime reports online. You can also reach out
to the local police department for information about the neighborhood you're
considering. You can also find out if the neighborhood community is actively
involved in managing the area's safety.
Take A Walk Around the
Neighborhood
You've found a
neighborhood that matches most of your criteria. The best way to get to know
the area is by walking around! Pay attention to the amount of greenery (in
yards and boulevards) and the level of traffic. If your family enjoys going on
walks together, make a mental note of how easy it is to travel by foot – are
the sidewalks in good shape? Is there enough space to walk comfortably?
You can also use this
time to meet the people living in the area. You can learn a lot about a
neighborhood just by striking up a conversation while out and about.
Understand Housing Value
– and Your Budget
Once you've selected a
neighborhood or two, look at the homes in the area. Pay attention to the lot
sizes, the typical square footage of homes, the age of homes, and the amount of
yard houses have. Find out the value of places in the neighborhood and talk to
your real estate agent about the neighborhood's history.
You can check websites
like Zillow to see housing costs as well as purchase history. This information
can give you an idea of how much home values have changed over time – and how
much they might change in the future. You can also get a sense of how tax rates
have changed in the area.
Then, figure out if you
can afford the area based on your budget. Be sure to add those property tax
values to this amount. You don't want to pick an ideal neighborhood if it means
compromising on your dream home, so keep that in mind.
Finding the ideal neighborhood for your dream home isn't always easy. But by taking a few precautions and planning ahead, you're well on your way to joining the perfect community.