How do you tell a good neighborhood from a bad neighborhood? At a glance, they all look the same: the same winding streets, the same kids on bicycles, and the same polite neighbors. Some things you will never know until you actually live there, but you can find out a lot with a little research and some time. It will save you money, time, and hassle down the road if you know what to look for in a neighborhood and know how to find that information.
A neighborhoods location is very important for a variety of reasons. For some, being close to shopping centers and malls is a necessity, others desire a short commute to work, and many seek out easy accessibility to public transportation. Close proximity to hospitals and fire stations is usually at the top of most lists as well. To get an accurate idea of distance, don’t just look at how many miles it is but actually make the drive yourself.
It is important that a neighborhood has adequate fire and police protection, good area schools, and low crime. Often, the quality of the area schools affects the property value and desirability of homes. You should also look at how far away the schools are, and how safe the walking route is that leads to them.
More homeowners than renters in the area are a good signs as well, because when people own a home they often care more about its upkeep than renters. Also, any remodeling or renovations taking place in the neighborhood probably means that people like the area and are planning to stick around for a while. And of course, parks and bike trails in the area are beneficial for connecting the community and providing fun, healthy entertainment.
There are three main sources for information that you should check with: a real estate agent, the neighbors, and the community.
The Real Estate Agent. You can find out a wealth of information by simply asking your real estate agent. They will have information on the neighborhood, area schools, future developments, and more.
The Neighbors. Everyone is looking for different things in a neighborhood and neighbors, which is why you should take a stroll around the prospective neighborhood and strike up a conversation with the neighbors. Ask them about traffic and noise in the area and find out what they like best about the neighborhood.
The Community. Before purchasing a home in the community, try exploring the area on your own. Drive through the surrounding neighborhoods, and visit the neighborhood you are thinking of buying in at all different times of day. Have dinner in a local restaurant and talk to the servers and owners to find out what they think about the area and its residents. Finally, make a quick stop at the local police department for area crime records.