How to choose a neighborhood

Finding a good neighborhood to live in is almost as important as liking the house itself. Sometimes knowing what to look for can be difficult because everyone has different needs. Here are some things to look for in a neighborhood that might influence your decision:

 

  •          Schools
    Whether or not you have a child, you might want to look at the nearby schools. If you have an early commute for work, you might want to avoid having schools on your route as that can cause more traffic in the mornings.
    If you do have little ones, you want to look into the school district’s ratings and what other people have to say about the schools. A Google search can help you find lots of ratings for schools and you can even visit them in person if you are committed on finding a neighborhood with great public education.
  •          Community
    If you are a person who comes home simply to eat and sleep, you may not care much about your neighbors. If you want to build a community (or just want to make sure you don’t have a grouchy neighbor) a simple way to see that is by knocking on doors and seeing how they interact. You might also be able to check out local coffee shops and see if there are community events to test out the vibe of the neighborhood!
  •          Public transport/walkability
    Is there an easy way to get to main establishments, such as grocery stores? If you’re not up for a 30+ minute commute to run errands, then finding an area closer to the city might be more important for you. You might not want to have a bus stop right in front of your house though, so see how close you are to public transport.

  •          Safety
    Checking the crime ratings in the area is important, no one wants to live in a place where they do not feel safe. Make sure to also check the sex offenders list.

  •          Lifestyle
    Do you want a quieter neighborhood? Or would you like to live somewhere where people are hustling and bustling? Depending on what you want your lifestyle to be like could help you pick a neighborhood. If you want more peace and quiet, you will want to look for a neighborhood with less congestion. We suggest visiting a neighborhood in the morning, afternoon, and night to see how busy the street becomes.

  •          Affordability
    Of course you want a nice house, but you want to make sure you can afford the cost of living in the neighborhood and your mortgage. You don’t a month off of work to set you back in case of emergencies (or pandemics).

  •          Easy access to goods and services
    You might value being able to make a quick grocery store or bank run without having to sit in your car forever. You want to look at the distance of places you will frequent to see if it’s feasible to make it there quickly or even walk if that’s something you want to be able to do!
  •          Aesthetic
    Look and see if the neighborhood has the type of scenery you want to see every day, that they have the lawns manicured in a fashion you like and colors you like. This can affect the price of your house if you decide to sell in the future. Check to see if the neighborhood has an HOA and what their restrictions would be on the colors your house can be and how strictly they follow their guidelines, you might not be able to put out your favorite lawn ornaments!

 

If you need any help with finding the neighborhood that is the perfect fit for you, feel free to text or call us ay (954)559-4644 for a free consultation!


* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.

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