Moving into a nice, beautiful and friendly neighborhood is always a top priority for new home buyers. After all, the neighborhood is just as important as the home itself. A neighborhood can make or break that blissful new home feeling. Here are 5 things to consider when choosing the perfect neighborhood for you and your family.

  1. Way of life: Start with what you envision for yourself. When you think of that perfect home, what do you see? Maybe it’s a nearby park for your kids to enjoy, or, lots of sidewalks to walk your dog. When you think you’ve found the one, take a step back and really consider the neighborhood. If it doesn’t fit your lifestyle it may not be the right choice. Look at your daily routine and really consider what is most important to you and if you are able to achieve it there.
  2. Affordability: After you’ve decided what you want, it’s time to think about affordability. Even if you’ve found a terrific bargain, don’t let it take your focus away from other important factors. Are property values increasing, decreasing, or holding steady? Are there new developments in the area or any other factors that could change home values? This is important to consider when buying a home. It may be beneficial to speak to a real estate agent in the area to have any questions answered.
  3. Commute Times: Consider how the commute times will affect your home life and time spent with family and friends. If you are not willing to drive more than 30 minutes to get to work every morning, you may consider finding a home closer to your job. If you have children, is the home close enough to their schools? Or if you have a preferred doctor, gym or hair stylist, you may prefer a home that’s near those people and places.
  4. Daily Conveniences: Each time you look at a neighborhood, consider how close the nearest gas station, grocery store, convenience store and others daily needs are. How far are you willing to drive each day for these services? Or if walking to these services appeals to you, you may want to find a neighborhood within a short distance of these establishments.
  5. Schools: If you have or plan on having children, this is a very important aspect to consider. Research elementary, middle, and high schools in the area as well as familiarize yourself with the school districts. Are they highly-rated schools? Do they offer the programs/sports/etc. you want your kids to participate in? Ask to tour the schools and see if they’re a good fit for your family.

Finding the perfect neighborhood is never easy and there are many things to take into account, but these 5 things will help make your search successful.