How to find the ideal neighborhood: the definitive guide

Moving is always a challenging event. There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to packing your whole life and taking it somewhere else. For some, the sole idea of tons of labeled boxes and a moving truck are enough for a stress overload.

What is important before and during that time is to try to stay as calm as possible, no matter how challenging it is. Probably the most important question to answer before everything else is where will you move. Therefore, we have a guide for you to help with choosing the best neighborhood for your new home.

Put it on paper

Do you know what would be the ideal neighborhood for you and your family members if you are moving together? Put it on paper. List all the things you consider positive and good and the others that would be unacceptable for you.

Depending on your age, school/job situation, children, pets, and your personal taste and daily habits make a list and use it as a cheat sheet in search of that perfect place you will call home. When you have that list ready, get to searching. You can find potential homes for sale in the USA online, or consult an agent to help you with that.

If you decide to go with professional help, do not hesitate to show them your list, in the end, it is you who needs to decide what is a good opportunity for you. In the next paragraphs, we will talk about important things that should be on your list when picking the ideal neighborhood.

Safety should be a priority

This is definitely number one when it comes to choosing the right place. The importance of a safe neighborhood is obvious, but we decided to give you a reminder anyway. No matter how many things you can check off your list about one neighborhood, if safety is not one of them, consider another place.

Even if it comes down to having to travel longer to work or school, or whatever that is not exactly an ideal scenario for you, it is way better to know you are safe. You will eventually get used to new life conditions, but please make sure you are putting your safety and the safety of your family members first.

School and work

After you are sure that you have covered safety, it is time to check other important things as well. Firstly, it is natural and normal to have your workplace as a starting point for your next home’s location.

If you are not working from home, and you do not want to leave your current job, it is completely understandable that you would like to be as close to your workplace as possible. If by any chance you are moving because of a new job offer, it is also understandable to look nearby for a place to move into.

The same goes if you are still in school, or you have children. School locations are a frequently researched criterion when it comes to moving. Parents want to make sure their children go to good schools, and the budget is an important factor as well. 

If you are flexible about these factors, it would probably be easier for you to check them off the list, but if you are not, do not give up until you find what is the best option for you.

Stores, pharmacies, and other important places

These probably will not be the reason to ‘make or break it’ between one place and another, but there are pretty important. To sum it up, this is a factor that contributes fairly to the choice, and it is related to grocery stores, pharmacies, pet shops, parks, and other frequently visited places.

It is quite logical that you should be interested in which of these places and stores can be found in your potential neighborhood. No one likes driving for 2 hours just to get some groceries, and let us face it, people usually do not have time for that. 

So, check what is around and get your research skills in motion. This solely depends on your daily life and habits, so make sure you cover everything.

Affordability

The last on our list, but surely not the least. We believe that you did this step already when the idea of moving appeared for the first time, but it is definitely important to revise. It tackles the budget situation.

Let’s say you already know you can afford a place there and everything that goes with it. But, have you thought about whether will you be able to afford other things? Living costs, groceries, school expenses, and utilities can differ in price from one place to another. Make sure you check that before you pick the place.

Choosing the ideal neighborhood can be a tricky task, so we hope this article gave you an idea of how to approach the situation. Remember that the most important thing should be safety. Good luck with your search.

Types of Neighborhoods to Look for if You Want to Move to a Tight-Knit Community

When you move, you get much more than just a new house or a different plot of land. You also get the opportunity to become part of a new community. Humans are social by nature, and we all crave a sense of belonging. A tight-knit community offers the social, emotional, and physical support that every person needs. As you look for a new home, keep your eyes peeled for the types of neighborhoods that can provide the social circumstances you’ll eventually come to count on. Here are five things to look for in a neighborhood that suggests the sense of community will be as strong as you’d like it to be.

A Golf Course

With its clubhouse, tournaments, and shared love of sport, a neighborhood with a golf course almost always boasts a tight-knit community. Golf course homes are usually right alongside the course, giving you the chance to cheer on your neighbors as they play and invite them over after the round.

Neighborhood Organizations

Neighborhoods with structured committees and task forces demonstrate a marked commitment to fostering community. This level or organization shows that people in the neighborhood care about their surroundings and recognize the importance of neighborly conduct.

Public Parks (With Lots of People in Them)

In a tight-knit community, people enjoy getting out of their homes and mingling with their neighbors. If you drive through a neighborhood and see only empty streets, then there’s probably no real community to speak of. If you see all sorts of children and adults coming together in public spaces, then you’ve likely found the type of community you were looking for.

Friendly Atmosphere

Take a walk around a neighborhood and gauge people’s reaction to your presence. If they smile and say hello, then the atmosphere is conducive to friendly relationships and a thriving community. If they look at their feet and mumble something unintelligible, then the atmosphere is probably unpleasantly cold.

Neighborhood Events

Block parties, barbecues, and charitable drives are sure signs of a strong community. Keep your eyes out for fliers advertising these types of events in the area.

A friendly neighborhood with a strong sense of community will make it easier to make new friends after your move. It will also give you stronger foundations on which to build a vibrant life with countless secure relationships. Look for the types of neighborhoods listed above if you’re determined to thrive in your new setting.

Look For These Neighborhood Amenities When Buying a Home

Picking the right neighborhood can be half the battle when you’re buying a home. You want to find a community that is ideal for your family, your future, somewhere that is safe, and somewhere that is close to all the things you need. 

There are certain things to look for when buying your dream home, and part of that includes searching for a neighborhood that meets your needs. Having the amenities that are important to you close by could make all the difference.

Depending on your lifestyle and your priorities, a neighborhood that is perfect for you may be considered undesirable for someone else. It’s essential to keep your ideal amenities for your life and situation a priority. Here is a brief guide on buying a home that includes an outline of the main things to consider when looking for your next community to settle down in. 

Your Current Family

If you’re single or have a spouse and you are planning on staying that way for a while, a neighborhood that is suitable for families with children might not be ideal for you. Examine your current family situation before you begin researching communities. Choosing an area based on your commute to work or how close it is to the nearest shopping center might make more sense than choosing based on the best schools in the area. 

Your Future Plans

While it’s impossible to tell the future, even though we wish we could, if you are planning on having a family, this can help you narrow down potential neighborhoods. Last thing you want is to buy a place then soon after have to start planning to relocate to a new area or neighborhood. Amenities like daycares, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools are necessary to have close by if you plan to have kids. 

Being close to parks, playgrounds, and other fun outdoor activities can be a significant part of the community for your future family. 

Affordability

It would be best if you choose to purchase a home within your financial means, so finding a neighborhood that supports your budget is a must. If you’re looking to spend a smaller amount on your new home, you wouldn’t want to choose a luxury neighborhood. 

While you want to stay within your budget, you want to make sure the neighborhood is clean and attractive, because that means the residents care about where they live and how it’s represented. This can be great for your resale value later on as well!

Accessibility

Being close to grocery stores, a mall, a pharmacy, restaurants, and things to do can make a neighborhood attractive to homebuyers. You don’t want to have to drive 20 minutes to get groceries or pick up your prescriptions, so having these amenities in your community is hugely convenient. 

If you have access to the library, community centers, recreation centers, and the gym, your area is better equipped to have a positive effect on your mental and physical health, and will help keep you and your family active and healthy. 

Safety

Of course, everyone wants to feel safe and comfortable in their communities. Online resources like Neighborhood Scout can help you determine the crime rate in your potential neighborhoods. 

When you are beginning the research phase of buying a home, pay attention to the news to determine where a lot of the crime happens in your city. There are often social media groups and forums you can join where you can discuss these issues with residents of an area or your neighbors. You can even get a recommendation from your realtor about the safest communities in your city. 

Walking vs. Driving

Some communities are more walkable than others, and some make driving a complete hassle. If you walk everywhere, you will want to choose a neighborhood that isn’t difficult to get around on foot. If you have kids, you may be okay with them taking a school bus, or if you want them to walk to school, that will be a determining factor of your ideal community. If you don’t want to take transit yourself, you will need to find a neighborhood close enough to your work as well. 

If you are a driver, you don’t want to choose an area that is more accessible by foot. However, this creates a bit of flexibility for you. You can be a little further from work or school, so your options aren’t as limited.  

Transit Accessible

Having a home that is easily accessible to public transit can be a huge benefit, even if you’re not a transit-goer yourself. If you decide a decade from now you want to up or downsize, or you want to rent out your home, being transit accessible is a plus for many renters. No one who takes a bus to work wants to walk 25 minutes to the nearest bus stop and have to take several buses just to get to work and back each day. 

How Developed is it?

Is the area up-and-coming? If you’re buying a brand new construction home in a brand new neighborhood, it might be hard to gauge what amenities will be eventually popping up in the area. If you’re close enough to amenities in a neighboring community, that could be a viable option for you. Oftentimes, trendy local businesses, grocery stores, and other great amenities pop up in these areas, but it will likely take some time.

If you’re looking at an older, more established neighborhood, it’s not likely that much will change, apart from the local businesses moving in and moving out. Depending on your preferences, either of these areas is an excellent option for different reasons. 

Things to Consider

Additional things to consider when choosing a neighborhood are the red flags of the community. Are there a lot of vacant homes? How long are homes on the market before they sell? Is there constant construction in the area? Are there a large number of rental properties in the area? Are the properties well taken care of? 

Some of these may not be huge red flags, but they can paint a picture of what life will be like if you choose that area. Buying a home doesn’t have to be a permanent decision. Still, you are typically putting down roots if you decide to purchase, and you likely don’t want to move again in a couple of years. 

An area that may have been considered bad or unkept in the past might be a thriving area today, so you may have to review your preconceived notions about a neighborhood you may have heard not-so-great things about. If new businesses are moving in, renovations are happening, and infrastructure is being updated, you could be coming across a gold mine of a community that everyone will want to move to in a few years, which presents you with potential for a great return on investment. 

If you know people who currently reside in neighborhoods you are interested in, ask them their honest opinion of the area, including what they like and what they don’t. Some of it may align with your priorities. 

When you work with a realtor with experience, they will be able to help navigate you in your decision. They can provide advice and information about neighborhoods you might be interested in. A realtor is one of the best assets you can have on your side when you’re looking for a new community to call home. 

Choosing a community doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Look at your lifestyle, your family, and what is important to you, and you should be able to narrow your list down quickly. 

Sources: 

https://loans.usnews.com/when-house-hunting-how-to-assess-a-neighborhood

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/nsch/2011-12/health/child-familys-neighborhood/neighborhood-amenities.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-spot-the-next-up-and-coming-neighborhood-in-your-city-2018-1

Author Bio: 

Kurtis Forster is a real estate agent for Team Forster in London, Ontario. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate.