Searching for the best neighborhoods in your desired area can be just as crucial as choosing the perfect house. A quality neighborhood can be a wonderful extension of your home. As a result, there are many factors to be on the lookout for. Unless you’ve moved multiple times, you may not be aware of how much there is to consider. Whether it’s nearby school districts, close amenities, or surrounding employment opportunities, it is a major decision. Let’s discuss some factors in finding the best neighborhoods.
Finding the Best Neighborhoods
General Questions to Ask
Curating a list of what you and your family or roommates need most in a neighborhood is the perfect place to start. Do you want a more lively and active area or an area more on the quiet side? Do you need nature close by or are you city folk? Are you looking for an older, vintage area or newer, modern development? Are you concerned about crime rates? These are all questions to answer before beginning your search journey. Searching for crime statistics (CrimeMapping.com) is easier than ever nowadays. There are also signs to look out for if you choose to go look for yourself (highly recommended). What are the conditions of the houses and yards like? Are there homes in foreclosure or boarded-up buildings? Deciding what’s most important to you and your loved ones should be one of the first steps in this process.
Walkability, amenities, and community
Physically getting in your car and driving around your area of interest will give you a great idea of the proximity of everything. Also, sometimes pictures just don’t add up. Getting a “feel” for an area can go a long way. How far is the nearest grocery store or pharmacy? Are there any accessible trails nearby? Are there bars or restaurants you hit frequently that are close by? Do you want your kids to walk to school every morning? Are you a frequent weekend shopper? Do they have your favorite stores in the area? Do you bike to work? These are all questions that you should ask yourself to determine if the area is indeed walkable and accessible.
Being close to places that you frequent helps with gas costs and vehicle maintenance. Furthermore, if getting involved in your community is a high priority for you, you may want to check out what local events, groups, and meetups are available.
Schooling
If you have kids or are planning on it, checking out the school districts in your preferred location is a must. If you’re concerned about finding a high-quality public school or private school, the location of your home may be a difference of just a mile or two. An excellent resource in doing so is GreatSchools. They evaluate schools all across the country. If you’re searching on Zillow, which many home shoppers do, they have a search filter that allows you to search for schools as well. If a quality school district is high on your priority list, it’s important to note that this may also equal high property taxes. However, this comes with its own set of perks.
Finding a school with low dropout rates and high test scores will also typically mean safer streets and responsive municipal services. If you don’t have kids and don’t plan on it, this obviously won’t be an issue for you. If high property tax rates are a deal-breaker, it’s more than possible to find a house on the outer edges that still provides the advantages of an affluent district and community.
Additional Source: Find a great school for your child
Employment
If you already have a job nailed down, finding a home nearby will be pretty straightforward. If you’re moving before you’ve secured anything, finding a place close to areas that are hiring in your field should be the main priority. Do you mind a long commute to work? If not, you’ll have more options. If you can’t stand the thought of bumper to bumper in the wee hours of the morning, you’ll need to seek something close. Do you rely on public transportation? Researching these options will be imperative in your journey to finding a new home.
Finding the best neighborhoods
Coming across that perfect neighborhood that checks most of your boxes may be just as important as finding the perfect house. If you don’t love the neighborhood you’re in, it may be difficult to love your house as well (especially if you’re community-focused). Thanks to the internet, finding that neighborhood tailored to you and your needs is easier than ever nowadays.
Graves Development Resources | Land Developer in Omaha, Nebraska
Graves Development Resources (GDR) has been designing and building the market’s finest neighborhoods since 2000, with over 5,000 homesites and important commercial development projects throughout Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
Our pages showcase current neighborhoods where new home buyers may select from hundreds of home sites. We are definitely “phone friendly” and welcome the opportunity to provide you all the information you need before making one of the most important decisions of your family’s future. Contact us with any questions.