The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on
your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play
their part.
Make a list of the activities—movies, health club,
church-- you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently.
See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re
considering to engaging in your most common activities.
Check out the school district. The Department of
Education in your town can probably provide information on test
scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and
special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also
consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re
considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good
school district will be easier to sell in the future.
Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police
department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the
number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and
the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered
in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?
Determine if the neighborhood is economically
stable. Check with your local city economic development office to
see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or
rising? What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments
don’t necessarily diminish value, but do mean a more transient
population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for
sale for months?
See if you’ll make money. Ask a local REALTOR
