Finding the Right Neighborhood
Choosing where to live is almost as important as deciding the type of home you want to live in. This is a very personal decision, and there are pros and cons to every neighborhood. Wherever you want to live, you will need to know where the highways, grocery stores, and schools are located, and how far from work you will be. Buying a home means more than the structure you will be living in. It is also the community and the accessibility to places and events that mean the most to you and to your family.
How will you know you’ve found the right neighborhood, There are many ways to tell:
* You may feel a sense of calm
* The neighborhood may elicit a happy memory
* You will be close to places you frequent often
* The neighborhood aesthetics are pleasing
* The rest of your family is pleased
You may feel one emotion or five when you turn the corner onto the street where you want to live. This will be an exciting time, especially if you have been searching for a home for the past few months.
When looking for the right location, you should consider at least the following:
* How clean is the neighborhood,
* Is this a high crime area,
* What is the average home value in the neighborhood,
* Are there community bylaws,
* What is the home close to,
* Is there garbage pickup,
How Clean is the Neighborhood,
Drive through the neighborhood at different times during the day to see how those who live in the neighborhood take care of it. If there is a lot of trash on the ground, the lawns are not maintained, or old signs posted on trees and telephone poles, then the neighborhood may not be for you.
If the neighborhood looks clean and you see people outside caring for their lawns, then you may have found a community of people who care about where they live. This is an important factor if you are planning on living in the neighborhood for many years.
Is This a High Crime Area,
While all neighborhoods will experience some crime, you should consider buying a home in an area that has a high crime rate very carefully. While the home itself may be the right price for your budget, it may not be in an area that is right for your well-being.
Drive by the neighborhood at nighttime to see if there is adequate street lighting, suspicious activity, or anything else that might cause you to use caution. Research the neighborhood and find out how the crime rate compares to other neighborhoods. If the crime rate is too high, then it may be best to look somewhere else.
What is the Average Home Value in the Neighborhood,
Your real estate agent can provide this information, or you can obtain this information at the county clerk’s office or on their website. You should be aware of the home values that are in your neighborhood for several reasons:
* Housing prices vary depending on the neighborhood and region. You want to buy a home that you will be able to make a profit on when you decide to sell.
* You do not want to pay too much for a home.
* Making a solid offer for the home requires knowing what other homes that are similar in size are selling for.
Are There Community Bylaws,
If you are looking at a home that is inside a community, you should be aware of yearly dues, restrictions about what can be in your yard (pool, lawn decorations, etc.), and any other rules that they may have. These limitations benefit the community at large by helping to maintain the community’s overall appearance and property values.
Communities usually have picnics and other events during the year where neighbors can meet each other. Many people feel safer living in an area where they know their neighbors. Some communities have pools, tennis courts, gyms, and other amenities.
What is the Home Close to,
When choosing a neighborhood, find the nearest grocery stores, schools, route to work, and other necessities that will make living in the neighborhood more convenient. Drive around the neighborhood to see what else is nearby that could influence your decision to buy a home in a neighborhood.
Is There Garbage Pickup,
Find out if the neighborhood has curbside trash pickup, community dumpsters, or if you will need to haul it to the dump yourself so that you can decide if this is something you really want to do on the weekend.
City Life vs. Country Living
Choosing the neighborhood you want to live in will also include deciding whether you want to live in the city, country, or suburbs. Many people with families usually want to live in the suburbs because there are more amenities for children, and it is still close enough for parents to commute to work.
But there are advantages to city and country living as well. Those who live in the city will be close to work, restaurants, activities, and events. Those who live in the country may have a longer commute to work, but they will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of having fewer people around them.
Whichever lifestyle you prefer, you should compile a list of pros and cons that will give you a better idea of what to expect when looking for a home and which to choose. The following will get you started:
City Life
Pros
* Easy access to cultural events
* More options when dining out
* More grocery store and clothing store options
* Public transportation
* More people
* Choice houses, condos, or apartments
* Private and public schools
Cons
* Higher crime rates
* Pollution
* More people
* Higher housing costs
* Higher taxes
* Higher cost of living
* Limited housing
Country Living
Pros
* More land available
* New homes available
* Fewer people
* Lower cost of living
Cons
* Fewer schools to choose from
* Further from grocery stores and other stores
* Fewer people
* Not as many cultural events
* Longer commute to work
Suburban Living
Pros
* Close to city and country
* More land
* Cost of living less is expensive than city living
* Close to cultural events
* Community feeling
Cons
* More people in a smaller area
* Fewer schools to choose from
* Long commute to work
When choosing the environment you would like to live in, the following may play a role in your final decision:
* Finances
* Schools
* Size of home desired
* Amount of land desired
* Taxes
* Length of your commute to work
You should consider both city and country living. While there will always be proc and cons, you should be able to find a home that will help you lead the type of lifestyle that is important to you and your family.
Making the Commute
Consider the amount of travel time to and from your job when buying your first home. Find a neighborhood that is close enough to drive or is accessible by public transportation. While some people enjoy sitting on a bus or a train for an hour or two each day, you may not want to use your time this way. Living in the suburbs or in the country may require you to make a longer commute.
If you want to remain relatively close to your job, you should not search further than a thirty-mile radius. Inform your real estate agent of this requirement, or drive thirty miles in any direction and see what is available. You will probably find neighborhoods you have never even heard about. You should find back roads as well as highway accessible roads that will make your commute easier.
You should also look for a home during different times of the day to figure out the traffic patterns. If possible, live in an area that goes against normal traffic patterns. That way you will not be stuck in traffic going to work or when coming home.
Commuting to work can easily turn into a forty, fifty, or even an hour-long drive depending on the time of day. While this may be inevitable, you should consider all your options before purchasing a home.
Schools in the Area
If you have school-age children, then you will want to find a home that is close to schools in the area. This goes for both public and private schools. If you find a neighborhood that you like, find out which school district it is located in. Not all districts are alike and you will have to send your children to the school district in which your home is located unless you opt for private school.
If you are planning on living in the country, the nearest school could be very close to home or very far away depending on where you move. The bus ride to and from school can be an hour or more. This could take time away from getting homework done or playing with friends. Be prepared and find out everything you can about these schools as well.
Grocery Shopping and Other Necessities
Another factor to consider when buying your first home is the proximity to grocery and other stores. While living in the country may seem peaceful, be prepared to do a lot more driving. The nearest grocery store or pharmacy may be thirty minutes or more. Small towns have centralized areas where shops and grocery stores are located. Unless you live in town, you will have to drive to get there.
Many people that live in the country will adjust their lives as well as their priorities. They may go to the grocery stores once every two weeks; they will not eat at restaurants as often, and will not go to the movies or other social events as often either. You will have to decide what is important to you.
Before buying a home, survey the town to see what is available. This will give you a good idea of what it would be like to live in an area. Spend a few days there if possible. This will save you from making a huge mistake later.
If you are planning to stay in the city, you will have the advantages of public transportation, but you may still need a car for larger shopping trips. Be sure to consider parking availability and parking costs if you decide to live in the city.
Other Location Considerations
Other location considerations include:
* Weather
* Road conditions
* Location of property in the neighborhood
* Room to grow
Various weather conditions can impact living in different areas. If you are planning on living in the country, for example, you should pay attention to possible flooding, snow, and other weather that could affect you getting to work. If your only access road is a dirt road, you should ask if the county will clear the road and how often they will do so.
The location of the property is also important. If the property is located at the bottom of a slope, you may have flooding issues after a rainstorm.
Finally, as your family grows, you may need more room. You should find property that can hold a home addition if necessary. Investing in a home requires a great deal of thought and planning.