4 Things to Know When Picking a New Neighborhood

By: Wendy Dessler

When looking for a perfect home, you first need to find the ideal neighborhood. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially if you’re moving to a new area that you don’t know very well. 

It’s almost impossible to tell if your neighbors are friendly, and on the surface, you can’t tell if there are any safety issues. To make things easier for you, we explore four factors that you should consider when picking a new neighborhood.

Shops and Services

Scout the area and find out if there are shops and services nearby. It might not seem important right now, but you don’t want to have to drive miles out of your way to get a loaf of bread. 

Besides the necessities, you can also check out places like restaurants and coffee shops, especially if you like to get something on the way to work in the mornings. 

Do your research and find out where the nearest medical facilities are situated. If there’s ever an emergency, it’s best to know where you can get help and how far away it is from your house. It’s also useful to locate the nearest police station and firehouse.

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Neighborhood Safety

No matter how much you may quiz your real estate agent about some really good listings, it’s against the law for them to comment on neighborhood safety. You’d get a better picture by speaking with the residents. 

Don’t be afraid to talk to the people who live there; go to the local coffee shop or grocery store and strike up a conversation with some locals. There are also a few websites that present crime reports for particular districts. 

If you prefer to take a more direct approach, you can talk to the local police to ask them about the level of crime in the area. 

Noise Levels

The level of noise in a suburb is an often-overlooked factor when people choose a new home. Try to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day to see if there are any red flags for disturbances. 

If you only ever go in the early mornings, you might miss the fact that the restaurant down the road turns into a nightclub venue. When you consider the noise levels, pause for a moment, and listen carefully to any surrounding sounds. Is the area close to a highway and you can hear the passing cars? 

Or maybe there’s a train nearby that rattles past regularly. Once you have a better idea, you can decide whether you’re willing to tolerate those sounds every day.

State of the Buildings and Zone

Spend some time walking through the region and note the houses’ condition, front yards, and sidewalks. Observe the people you come across and see if they make eye contact with you, as this usually indicates that it’s a safe and friendly community. 

Check to see if there are many vacant lots or abandoned buildings that could be home to vagrants. Watch the traffic and speed to gauge if the streets are quiet or noisy. By strolling through the area, you’ll get a better idea and feel of the people and the atmosphere. If you pick up some bad vibes, you might reconsider moving there.

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Final Thoughts

Packing up and moving to a new district can be stressful and emotional. If you’re new to the neighborhood and searching for the right home, find out where the closest shops and medical services are located. To get a better idea of safety in the suburb, you can talk to the locals or visit specialized websites that publish crime statistics for various zones. 

Before moving in, visit your potential home at different times during the day to gauge the noise levels and whether they are bearable. Take the time to walk through the streets; this will help you get a general feeling of the suburb’s atmosphere. If your experience is positive, then you’ll most likely feel comfortable within the new community.  

About the Author:  Wendy Dessler is a super-connector who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.