How to Choose Your New Neighborhood
You have it all set. You want a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home that’s close to 2,000 square feet. And then your agent asks, “Any particular area you are looking to move to?” Where you say, “We only want houses in “xxx” neighborhood.” There are a lot of things to consider when buying a house and depending on your demographic, this will determine part of your wishlist. For many people it’s about the school district, which sometimes will make you sacrifice that Victorian home you wanted in the artsy district of town. People choose neighborhoods because it’s considered a “hot spot” or a “sought after location”, (ahem, yes, I’m talking to you Church Hill), but sometimes the view is limited. I know how important community is and I try my best to not just match up a house, but also a neighborhood best suited for my clients, even when they didn’t even consider a particular area to begin with. So here are some things I advise clients to think about while looking for a new home.
Who are you? Seems silly to ask, but consider it. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you enjoy people “popping by” or are you more “I like to have to drive to my neighbor’s house next door”. Some people love being in close proximity to their neighbors, it makes them feel safe and you love to distribute baked goods.
Is it Walkable? Do you enjoy walking out your front door and finding your personalized beer mug a few blocks away? Do you want to be able to walk to the grocery store? Do you want to have a few restaurants near your house? Walkability is very important to people, while others don’t mind trekking 20-45 minutes to their favorite hangouts.
How active is the community? You might not want a home owners association, but you may want to be an active part of the community you are going to live in. Many neighborhoods have civic, neighborhood watches and small business associations where you can be informed on what’s coming and going in the area. These are the people who organize clean ups and facilitate fundraisers for the nearby schools and charities.
Architecture. I won’t show Queen Anne and Victorian people houses in Wyndham or Stratford Hills. Sometimes architecture plays a big role in where people want to live, you might love a neighborhood full of ranch homes, but your love is to live in a three story rowhouse.
Development. Are you going to be ok with them putting up a Walmart a few years down the road? Find out about the Master Plan for a development before deciding if it’s the place for you in the next 5-10 years.
Schools. It’s a no brainer when having kids. You probably want to live in a hip and cool area, but you aren’t willing to sacrifice your kids going to a highly rated public school.
Commute. In your head you might say this isn’t a big deal, that you are fine adding 20 more minutes to your commute time, but think about it and how you’re going to feel after a few months of it and what your after work life is like. Ask yourself if there are alternative transportation options as well.
Value. Will this house increase in value over the next few years? What are the houses doing in the neighborhood? Are they selling quickly or are they sitting for a long time? Are there a lot of foreclosure and rentals? Are the neighbors improving their properties or does it look like homes aren’t being taken care of.
Crime. If your desire is to live in the city, be prepared to hear gun shots from time to time or to have your car broken into at some point. If this scares you off then maybe consider a more suburban area. Are you a single lady who walks her dog at night? Do you want to feel confident sending your kid to Johnny’s house by himself?
Noise. Are you a late sleeper who loves it when Mr. Jones cranks that mower up at 8:30am or does the din of ambulances and backyard parties your white noise to sleepytime?
So, just how do know if these places are right for you. Your Realtor should be familiar with your city or town you live in. If you are hiring a good Realtor, they will know how to match who you are to what you want in a community and they will know that some of you aren’t afraid of new experiences.
I always give my clients this homework when exploring neighborhoods:
Take a daily walk in the neighborhood they desire. Stroll the streets at night and during the day. See if the neighbors are wavers and greeters vs evaders.
Talk to Neighbors. Ask them how long they’ve lived in the area and what they love and don’t love about it.
Look in backyards if you have kids. Check for jungle gyms, pools, and bikes for potential playmates for your children.
Pay attention to lawn care and paint on homes, is it run down or is it clean and well kept.
Check the distance of things. Do you enjoy walking to get a cup of coffee in the morning or where is the hospital/vet located? Are there parks nearby? What are the dining options?
Don’t pigeonhole yourself to one neighborhood. I once had clients adamant about living in a certain area, but they didn’t realize that the style of home they desired could be found elsewhere in the city and was actually more affordable. They appreciated my knowledge, but also LOVE their neighbors and community.
Police, Fire Stations, and Hospitals. People like to feel they are safe and can get help quickly, so check to see where these are located.
Culture. This is huge these days. What kind of lifestyle living are you looking for? Neighborhoods do tend to reflect their dwellers. How diverse is it? What is the average age of the residents? Are you surrounded by serene parklike features or do you prefer a hip and cool area with neighbors who have block parties?
HOA. Do you enjoy rules and restrictions. It’s also an added cost to your home ownership, so consider the amenities vs the cost.
There are many things to consider when finding the neighborhood that’s going to foster the walls which surround you. Home is so much more than that. It’s feeling welcomed. It’s feeling like you are part of where you live. It’s also feeling safe and good about coming home every night. It’s about room to breathe and room to shop. It’s about award winning education and summer bike riding in the streets. Talk with your realtor about their matchmaking skills and follow the tips above. Good luck and happy hunting!