Factors to Consider When Choosing a Neighborhood:
Neighborhood Safety
The safety of a neighborhood is a very important factor when looking to buy a house, especially if you have children. Here are some things you can look into to help you get a better sense of whether or not a neighborhood feels safe:
- Crime statistics - If you check criminal reports through the city website or contact local law enforcement and notice a high level of activity, it may be a red flag.
- Street lighting - An adequate amount of street lighting can help one feel safer in a neighborhood.
- Talk with neighbors - If you see someone walking their dog, mowing the lawn, or just grabbing their mail, introduce yourself by telling them you may be interested in moving to the neighborhood. Residents can tell you whether or not they feel the area is safe
Closest Grocery, Pharmacy, and Department Stores
Food, medications, and toiletries are necessities for daily life. If convenience is important to you, you may want to consider choosing a location that’s close to where you will be running a majority of your errands.
School District
Whether you're planning to have kids in the near future, you just had your first child, or you have a few youngsters in school already, finding a well-performing school district is something many families prioritize when looking for the right location to live. How do you determine if a school district is "good" or not?
- Test scores and data - State test scores can be an indicator of whether a certain school district is performing at, below, or above the state average.
- Programming - School programming can be a big deal for some families. If your student does well in many classes, you may want to see if the district you're considering offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes or college-level courses that can go toward an education after high school.
- Extracurricular activities - Maybe your child loves writing or performing in musicals? Finding a district that caters to your children's interests and strengths will help toward their success.
- Sports programs - Maybe you assume all school districts offer high school football, have a swimming team, and are competitive in lacrosse. But maybe the district you're looking into is too small or lacks the funding to support specific sports. Double check to see what athletic programs are offered.
Parks, Sidewalks, Walking Trails
- Outside amenities will make it a pleasure to go for walk nearby or taking your dog for a walk.
Source: www.tchabitat.org
