Shopping for a new home? Your long-term happiness in your new house will depend in part on how much you love your new neighborhood.
In fact, choosing the right neighborhood may matter far more than choosing a house you love. You can change a lot about your house. You can’t chase off nosy neighbors, get rid of a punitive HOA, adjust your school district, or tinker with local traffic conditions.
Follow this guide to help you make the right choice.
What’s in a neighborhood?
Every neighborhood has its own advantages, disadvantages, and character. Here are a few factors to consider.
- Is the neighborhood walkable or will you need a car?
- How long would your work commute be?
- What school district will your neighborhood be in?
- How private will your home be? How quiet is the neighborhood?
- Do neighbors talk to one another? Interfere with one another? Routinely socialize with one another?
- What’s your proximity to dining, shopping, parks, and nightlife going to look like?
- What is the neighborhood known for?
- Are homes in the neighborhood in your price range?
When evaluating this list it’s important to consider both your current and your future needs.
Set Your Priorities
Most neighborhoods will have both pros and cons. It can be helpful to pick the top three characteristics that are most important to you. For example, if you want a short commute, access to shopping and dining, and great schools, then you might have to sacrifice some walkability and privacy.
If you’re looking for peace, quiet, and a place where the neighbors are neighborly, you might have to sacrifice some amenities.
Want a little of everything? You might get it with a planned community, but you’ll pay more for the home and you’ll almost certainly have to deal with a HOA.
No neighborhood is perfect, but it might just be possible to find the neighborhood that’s perfect for you and your family members.
Research Neighborhoods
There are many ways to research the neighborhoods where you want to live. You can start with a simple Google Search. You might find neighborhood websites, school reviews, and amenities listings. You can pull up a map to check your commute or your access to public transportation options.
If the neighborhood is known for anything in particular, you’ll discover that information at the click of a button. For example, Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas neighborhood is famous for its lively cultural scene as well as for fine dining and shopping. It offers a lively urban feel. By contrast, the Sunset neighborhood is known for its parks, as well as for its quiet suburban feel and excellent schools.
Don’t forget to jump offline, though. Your real estate agent is an excellent resource. Agents know their neighborhoods well, and often have information for you that you’d never find online.
Visit the Shortlist in Person
It’s one thing to read about a neighborhood. It’s another thing entirely to experience it. Drive around. Walk around. Get a feel for what it will be like to live there.
Don’t be afraid to talk with the neighbors! Find out who they are and how they conduct themselves. Look at their yards and driveways. Will it drive you crazy that your nextdoor neighbor has five cars and a boat that stretches out across the sidewalk without a care?
Do you see loads of children running around the neighborhood, and how do you feel about children? Are the homeowners here keeping their homes in good repair, or are property values in danger of falling because the people in this neighborhood can’t afford the home maintenance? Do your neighbors seem like they’ll be nosy or intrusive?
You’re likely going to be living around these people for five years or more, so it pays to gather some insights before you make your offer.
Begin Your Home Purchase Journey with Alex Doce
You need to know your budget before you begin searching for the perfect neighborhood. Don’t fall in love before you know how much home you can afford.
Get prepared to buy your next house with a mortgage pre-approval and guidance from Alex Doce. Schedule your free consultation today.
