Buying a new home and moving into it is one of those big decisions that you make only a handful of times in life. While the experience is full of excitement and is accompanied by new hopes and dreams, there are not many people who wish to do change homes frequently. This is why choosing the right neighborhood for your new home, where you’ll spend a considerable amount of time, requires a lot of research and effort. Following are the few things to consider while choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.
Safety: The top most criterion of selecting a neighborhood to live in must always be your and your loved ones’ safety. While no area can be deemed as 100% safe, there are certain neighborhoods that are well protected and where crime is considerably less than the other neighborhoods. Before buying a home, do ample research about crimes in various areas. Knowing the high and low risk areas in your city can save you from a lot of regret and can help in keeping you and your family safe from harm.
Other Homes In The Neighborhood: Pay close attention to other homes in the neighborhood while settling down. It is a good idea to talk to the families/people living there and get a general idea of the neighborhood and its community. After all, you won’t want to end up living next to impossible people. Also, if there are too many vacant houses, you might want to find out the reason and if there are barren patches near your dream home, then find out the future plans of development for the area.
Public Transportation: Access to affordable public transportation is a key factor in selecting the neighborhood where you’ll stay. Availability of public transportation makes commuting to work easier on a daily basis and allows prompt access to shopping zones, entertainment centers and other key hubs of town. Moreover, houses that are near subway stations or other kinds of public transportation retain their value for several years and if you are an environmentalist, then living in a neighborhood that is close to public transportation just might appeal to you a bit more.
Schools and Education Centers: If you are a couple with children or are planning to have kids in the near future, you might want to live in a neighborhood that is close to decent schools. Homes that are located in a near vicinity of schools are one of the most sought after places and that helps in retaining the value of your property over time.
Recreational Areas: For some homeowners, the deciding factor in choosing a neighborhood is community amenities. If you are one of those people, you might prefer buying a home in a neighborhood that has bike lanes, jogging tracks, community club house, swimming pool etc. These amenities provide some much needed exercise in a familiar outdoor setting, which is good for your health and well-being. Most newly developed communities include these facilities that facilitate a healthier lifestyle and attract the modern homeowners.
Aesthetics: No one likes to live in an ugly neighborhood, period. A visually pleasing neighborhood gives the impression that the people inhabiting it care about their homes and are members of a cohesive group that takes pride in their community and neighborhood. Alternatively, dilapidated homes and shabby and unkempt front yards are symbolic of issues, such as high crime rate and low safety. When the neighborhood is aesthetically pleasing, it attracts the new home buyers as it provides a sense of belongingness.
Close Proximity of Important Services: Having vital services such as police stations, hospitals, fire stations in close vicinity can save yours or your family members’ lives in an emergency situation. Also, having department stores in the area caters to your day to day needs. Therefore, most homeowners prefer living in an area that has quick access to these services.
Quiet and Peaceful Environment: Hardly anyone would wish to live in a neighborhood plagued by constant loud noises. Whether it is of traffic, busy commercial zones or anything else. Noise can sometimes be the biggest red flag for potential buyers. If you feel that a particular home is in such kind of a neighborhood, it is better to walk away before you commit to it.
As you might have figured out by now, choosing a neighborhood is a demanding and time consuming process. You might approve of some factors, while others may prove to be a turn off. The best way of choosing the right neighborhood is to make a list of pros and cons of your shortlisted homes and then simply compare them with one another. One of them is bound to stand out as your ideal neighborhood.
Happy Home Hunting!!
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