Choosing a perfect home to settle in is tough on its own. You have to weigh in on very many factors including a house’s price, size, features and amenities, number of bedroom and baths, design, and so on. However, all these factors are not enough to give you a great home ownership experience if you fall into the wrong neighborhood.
Picking the right neighborhood not only guarantees you happiness and comfort, but also helps with home appreciation for the sake of future re-sale. In most cases though, it can be tougher to find the perfect neighborhood than the right house.
Here are some factors that can help you find the right neighborhood:
Schools
If you have kids and definitely care about the quality of their education, consider a neighborhood with a reputable school district. But even if you don’t have kids, such a neighborhood will most likely boost your home’s appreciation. You will also find it easier to get a buyer when moving from the neighborhood.
Crime Rate
No one wants to live in a neighborhood with high crime rates. This is one of the basic factors that you must consider when searching for a new neighborhood. Check the area’s crime statistics from the local authorities, search online, or ask your potential neighbors.
Transport
This is also a key factor to consider. How far do you have to drive to work from the new neighborhood? How intense is traffic in the area?
If you don’t drive, are there adequate public transportation networks in place? How will your kids travel to school? Make sure that the new neighborhood meets all your transportation needs.
Basic Amenities
Is the neighborhood close to basic amenities that you are used to or that you need from now henceforth? Such amenities would include a close-by kid’s hospital, pharmacy, grocery store, bank or ATM, and law enforcement center.
Recreational Amenities and Activities
Does the neighborhood have a park where you can go for a picnic with your partner or where your kids can play and make friends? Are there cultural attractions such as concerts, art exhibits and film shows?
Are there bars, movie theatres and restaurants close by? Are there malls or stores where you can go shopping during the weekends? What about a library, gym or community swimming pool?
If you are fun-loving person, make sure your neighborhood can provide as much fun as possible. You don’t want to start having regrets about a boring neighborhood in less than a year after settling in.
Community Engagement
Are you looking for a neighborhood with a sense of anonymity or a sense of belonging? In some neighborhoods, neighbors hardly know each other while in others, block parties and community events are a common thing. Which one would you prefer?
It is not easy to find everything you want in one place, but you can definitely get most of it in a certain neighborhood if you search well enough.
