Are You Moving to a Good Neighborhood?

Having to move, find a realtor, purchase a home, and start somewhere new is difficult and scary. Finding a good neighborhood to settle into is a large part of a successful move. However, discovering a good area to relocate can be more overwhelming than the move itself. We’ve compiled these tips to help you determine whether a neighborhood is the right fit for you and your family.

The best way to learn what your future neighborhood is all about is by talking to its residents. However, cold knocking on doors in the neighborhood isn’t for everyone. Write an email to friends and family and ask if they know anyone who lives in the area or has experience with it. Once you make these connections, ask their tips for on local schools, social groups, housing, etc. 

1. Visit often The best way to get a feel for the neighborhood is to drive through it at all times of the day. See how active the neighborhood is during the morning and evening. How accessible is the area? Is traffic unbearable? Are there any possible noise disturbances nearby? Drive to and from the house from different directions so you can get a feel for scenery, local businesses, and neighborhood activity.
2. Subscribe Time to do some reading! Subscribe to the hyper-local newspapers and magazines to get inside information on the neighborhoods you’re considering. These publications can be chock-full of information that gives you a feel for the community and related activities such as farmers markets, entertainment, block parties, and local elections.
3. Schools must get a good grade Check the ratings of schools nearby, even if you don’t have kids. Highly rated schools usually indicate good communities. Go ahead and pay the school a visit, too. While ratings are helpful, a campus’ condition is much more telling. Houses also have a better chance of being sold down the road if the local schools are reputable.
4. Check the statistics Look up a few numbers in the neighborhood. Phone numbers? No, numbers like crime rates, nearby sex offenders, appreciation rates, and community demographics. Take the extra time to research the good and bad facts about the community.
5. Download & print There are unlimited online tools that can help you decide if your future home is in a good neighborhood. Browse, download, print, and read through city guides, local blogs, and digital bulletin boards to learn more about the area. Websites like Neighborhood Scout, Walk Score, Yelp!, and Yellow Pages are often helpful. 
6. Talk, talk, talk!