Being caught up in the search for the perfect house that checks off everything on your list is easy until you realize you haven’t paid too much attention to the area you’re about to move to. Real estate agents usually suggest it’s important to consider the neighborhood when looking for a suitable house because a house is easy to fix but you can’t change the location and vibe of the community.

Although agents are great resources for pointing out amenities and learning about specific rules, you must do thorough research for some specific information. Below we’ll break down a few important key points when searching for a good neighborhood to start living in.

Find a suitable house and study the area’s location

When looking for a house or apartment where you want to live it’s very important to consider its location, meaning the neighborhood. The process of finding a suitable house involves making some compromises and setting priorities based on your budget, family size, type of housing, location, and possibly other factors. To make it easier, you might want to install an app that helps you track and manage all of the showings.

For example, the Wahi Showing Guide can help you organize every property you’ve seen by adding details including the location, price range, and anything else you need. Later, this will help you decide which house suits you according to the details in your guide. Don’t forget to study the area’s topography and location since it can impact your overall experience as a resident.

Seek areas with diverse transit

Transportation is one of those important things people usually overlook when searching for a suitable location to start living. Having multiple transit options can make your life easier. If you’re moving for a new job, you’ll likely restrict your housing search to areas that offer the optimal balance of a fast and convenient commute. This can mean neighborhoods near major highways connecting to larger employment centers like suburban and downtown office parks.

If you’re planning to use your car, think about whether your candidate neighborhood has access to other forms of transit as this could involve lots of traffic if you commute daily. Living in an area where you can use active transportation like walking or biking can maximize your commute’s productivity and save money on gas as well as gym memberships.

Think about safety and comfort

One of the main reasons to choose a neighborhood is its safety. Search the web or ask around to get a sense of crime rates at the municipal or neighborhood level. Check the local law enforcement agency’s website or contact them directly to discuss ‘good’ and ‘bad’ areas in your neighborhood. When visiting neighborhoods to scout for housing you can look for signs of the safety and stability of the area.

Look for signs of vandalism, are there people out or is the area abandoned, are lots of homes on sale or in foreclosure, and so on. Ideally, you might consider visiting the area at different times of the day to get a full picture of the flow of local life. Note that less desirable areas might have lower home prices and rents, and can come with a greater risk of property damage or theft.

School quality

If you’re moving with kids or you plan to have kids soon, the availability of high-quality public schools is an essential consideration. This may be an easy task since there are websites where you can evaluate school and district quality across the country to find what the right fit is for you. Filter out homes in communities and neighborhoods with access to quality schools.

Note that high-performing areas often have higher property tax rates. If you don’t need high-quality schools, you might buy or rent a house in lower-cost school districts nearby since it would make more financial sense. On the other hand, high-quality districts tend to have advantages including safe streets, geographical convenience, and responsive municipal services.

In closing

Besides other costs of living factors, you might as well uncover the community’s character. Different people have different expectations of where they want to live, some may prefer quieter places while others want more lively communities where they can meet new people and enjoy the nightlife. Whatever your choice, make sure you do your research right and consider all factors that will determine your new neighborhood.