Choosing the right home for you can be tough enough from thinking about the price tag, the size to suit your needs, features that will help the home retain its value both to you and the market, and so much more. But don't forget about where the home is located. The neighorhood plays a big factor in choosing the right home. More often than not, choosing the right neighborhood can be more difficult than choosing the right house. 

Here are six factors to consider when choosing the right neighborhood:

SCHOOLS:

If you have children or plan to, you no doubt are concerened with the quaility of their education. So thinking about neighborhoods with access to a good school district would be key. But let's say you don't have children, being in a neighborhood that is part of a good school district will more than likely boost your home's value. So if you decided to sell later on, it would be easier to find a potential buyer. 

CRIME RATE:

Strange as it may sound, no one wants to live in a neighborhood where crime is prevalent. Although it seems like a no-brainer, you have to check into the neighborhood to make sure that you feel safe there. You could check the crime statistics from local authorities, run a few online searches - with apps like Nextdoor and Facebook Neighborhood Pages you are bound to find out all the "dirt", or ask one of your potential new neighbors. 

TRANSPORTATION:

Depending on your potential commute, this could be a "make or break" factor. How far is the neighborhood from your work? What is the traffic like to and from the neighborhood? Are the roads well maintained? Maybe you don't drive, are there suffient and reliable forms of public transportation nearby? We mentioned schools earlier, so if you have kids, how will they get to school? Check out travel routes to and from your prospective neighborhood to the places most important to you.

BASIC AMENITIES:

What's close to the neighborhood? Where is the nearest hospital? Fire Station? Grocery Store? Pharmacy? Bank? Police Station? These are all things to think about. How close some of these places are such as Police Station, Fire Stations and Hospitals can sometimes help save on things like home and health insurance. 

RECREATION AND ACTIVITIES:

Is there a park in the neighborhood for picnics or spending time outdoors? Are things like events or attractions important to you? Are you willing to travel for those things or would it mean more to have them close by? What about restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping? Libraries, gyms or easy access to the beach? If you love to have fun, you will want to be close to the "hot spots" so make sure your prospective neighborhood has these things to keep you busy! You wouldn't want to be all settled in and realize your favorite hangout is over an hour away!

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

What is the community like in the neighorhood you are considering? Some neighborhoods offer community engagement like block parties, community yardsales, and general "get to know your neighbor" types of activities. And some neighborhoods offer more anonymity, so if you like to keep to yourself or are more private and selective, then a quiet neighborhood might suit you better. 

As you can see, finding everything you want in one place can be a challenge. So when making your "Must Have" list for your home search, don't forget about the neighborhood and what factors are most important to you. It's important to share this list with your Realtor, so they can best help you find the right fit for you. They will help you do research on the community and more than likely already have lists they can share with you for each neighborhood you're looking at. Contact us today if you are looking for the perfect neighborhood, we would love to share with you some insights on the area and what the local communities have to offer.