How to choose the right neighbourhood
- Stuart Clough
- Aug 11, 2021
- 2 min read
When buyers are looking for their new dream home, they often spend a considerable amount of time in checking. But, only few people try to know the neighborhood of their prospective homes. When looking to buy a house one of the first and most important considerations is the neighborhood. The location of the property is vital since it would offer security and safety, education for the children, shopping, public bus lines, restaurants, and so on.
The bottom line is this - if the home you buy is in the right neighborhood, a location you love, your life, and the enjoyment you get from being in your new home is going to be incredible. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right neighborhood for your new home.
1. Neighborhood Appearance
Some areas of town are more attractive than others. The appearance of the house and the yards will make a neighborhood appear attractive or unattractive. For the community you are considering, are the homes well-kept in the area? Do you like the way other homes in the area are maintained? Do you like the types of trees and plants that surround the homes? Take a drive through the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night. See if you feel comfortable and safe.
2. Do some research regarding the crime rate in the area
There are various resources you can check to determine whether the crime is an ongoing problem in your prospective new neighborhood. You can read accounts of atrocities in the local papers or view crime statistics available via the Internet. As an additional tip, consider visiting the prospective neighborhood at both at daytime and night to understand and feel the different conditions that prevail in this area.
3. Schools in the area
If you have school-aged children, you want to identify the different schools around. This could be done by driving around, asking a local store, or getting in touch with the city's Board of Education. In addition to finding schools, you should also determine the average OP score of children graduating from the high school, teacher to student ratio, the percentage of students that graduated, the percentage of students that moved on to college, etc.
4. Transportation
Some communities are built with town center concept in mind, which will enable the residents to walk to shops, workplace and to restaurants. Check for time taken to commute to your workplace. Check also for route navigation, public transportation alternatives, and other personal requirements.
5. Have a chat with your potential new neighbors
The best way to learn about a neighborhood is by talking to the residents. You can walk around and strike up a conversation with the man walking his dog or the woman watering her lawn. However, remember to ask non-threatening questions. You do not want to appear as if you are passing judgment on the neighborhood.
As you can see, numerous factors must be considered when trying to find the right neighborhood. Meanwhile, this might take some time and effort, knowing your priorities and then looking for the area that matches will provide you with a peaceful and enjoyable place to live.