When you’re in the market for buying a new home or renting a new apartment, it’s essential to consider the fact that the neighborhood it’s in is going to become your extended family. The location that you will be living in will undoubtedly have an effect on your life every single day, so it’s necessary to do your research and find the neighborhood that’s right for you. Here’s nine components that every great neighborhood has:
1. Good Schools:
If you have children, this is surely already at the top of your list. Using a resource such as Greatschools.org will give you insight about the schools in the neighborhood you’re prospecting. Even if you do not have children, neighborhoods with great schools are more valuable which helps to keep property values high.
2. Low Crime Rate:
Living in a neighborhood with a low crime rate gives homeowners and renters alike a feeling of safety and security. Using a resource like http://communitycrimemap.com/ will allow you to see how much and what type of crimes are happening in a neighborhood.
3. Lifestyle Match:
Regardless of whether you have a family of five or are a recent college graduate, picking a neighborhood that matches your current lifestyle makes all the difference when considering your overall comfort and quality of life. Home buyers and renters have a tendency of drifting towards areas with similar demographics.
4. Nearby Medical Care:
Being close enough to a hospital or doctor’s office can be key for many people, especially if you have young children or are in your senior years.
5. Public Transportation:
Living near a good public transportation system is extremely convenient in the event that your car breaks down or if you’re looking to save money on gas. Regardless of your lifestyle, a public transportation system is a solid component of any neighborhood.
6. Entertainment and Amenities:
Whether you like to go to a public park during your free time or enjoy a game of golf every once in a while, it’s important to consider how close and convenient these activities would be for you to enjoy.
7. Shopping and Restaurants:
Being in close proximity to corner stores, grocery stores, and shopping centers should always be considered for the sake of convenience. Making sure the you live near the places you’ll need to visit on a daily or weekly basis will save time and money.
8. Low Commute Time:
If you drive to work, living far away from your workplace will result in a more expensive and time-consuming commute.
9. Aesthetics:
Visit the neighborhood and take a look around. Is there a lot of trees is it a mostly bare neighborhood? Living near trees is important for health and happiness. Does it look like the neighborhood is well-maintained or on the verge of becoming run-down? Visiting the neighborhood can give you a lot of visual cues about what life there is really like.
No neighborhood is perfect, but doing your research and taking a visit is an all-important part of the prospecting and buying process. Good luck on finding your hidden gem as the neighborhood you live in will shape your life for years to come.
Comments