Where To Live?
One of the most important decisions you will make is house hunting in the city or the suburbs. The cities are alive with energy, and suburbs have family-friendly areas. However, the country is a refreshing breath of air. Therefore, you should choose what is most comfortable for you.
House values and communities change all the time. So when you begin house hunting, make sure you choose an area that is both comfortable and smart.
This Is A List To Help You Organize Your Options:
Amenities:
Is there a nearby park or open space? Are there chic shops or trendy restaurants? What about libraries, grocery shops, fitness centers, or a community center that has all of these? It's best to walk around the neighborhood and ask locals about their favorite and least favorite things.
Schools:
This is a key indicator of a great neighborhood. Many parents have children, and they care about safe streets, low crime, and other important characteristics that make good neighborhoods great.
Get a feel for the community and current affairs by visiting its community services:
You can find information about traffic, safety, and development projects by reading community blogs and local papers.
Transportation:
Want to live car-free? Check out the local transit system. Check out how close the stops to your neighborhood are or whether you will need to drive to a parking lot. In addition, you can check how often the transit system operates throughout the day or into the night.
Driving Times:
Determine whether you'll be driving on residential streets or main roads to get to work. You should drive around all day, not just on weekends while you look at houses. Drive your route during rush hour. It is frustrating to find out that the 15-mile journey to work takes you an hour each way. On the other hand, it's worth driving it several times. For a real test, try the 5 p.m. commute home on Friday night.
Easy Access:
Take a map of your city and mark the areas you'll frequent. These could be places like work, shopping, schools, or other public facilities. While you may purchase a house in the suburbs or further away for less, do you still want to drive? Perhaps a more expensive home closer to you is a better deal.
Safety:
It is possible to check crime statistics online or visit a local precinct. But the most important thing is whether you feel comfortable walking around at night.
Economic Stability:
A healthy mixture of residential neighborhoods (property tax) and businesses (sales or payroll taxes) creates the foundation for vibrant, financially stable communities. The most stable cities are those with colleges and government services.
Do you enjoy relaxing with your dog? Or do you prefer to shop at the shops, go to the cafes and clubs? Do you prefer open spaces with lots of elbow space? You'll find that your preferences will dictate where you live.
