Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Neighborhood

There are several factors that come into play when choosing the right place to live. Make sure you think about your lifestyle and what kind of life you want to build in your new home.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Neighborhood

• City/State
• Neighborhood
• Deal Breakers
• Negotiables

City/State
Are you relocating? Are you staying in the same city? In some cases, buyers can consider buying in a commutable city outside of where they work to save money (for example, New Jersey has several cities that are commutable to New York City. Oakland and the East Bay are viable options for people who work in San Francisco or Silicon Valley).

Neighborhood
Once you’ve determined what city you want to live in, you can start getting more specific. There are a few questions you need to ask yourself when choosing a neighborhood.

• What kind of vibe am I looking for? Quiet family suburb? Urban?
• Do I have/want to have children?
• What will my commute look like?
• What’s my proximity to friends, family, hobbies, social activities?
• Do I have or plan to have children?
• What are the schools like?
• Do I want something walkable?
• Do I need public transportation?
• What are the neighbors like?
• What don’t I want in a neighborhood?
• What is the crime like? Are there registered sex offenders in the area?

Deal Breakers
Make a list of your non-negotiables. A couple with small children might not consider buying in a neighborhood that isn’t already established. Some neighborhoods just might not be in your budget. Really consider the important aspects of a location that would make it nearly impossible to fit your lifestyle. And leave space for the desirables that you could give up if other things fit. Don’t immediately disregard certain neighborhoods that don’t meet every criteria until you visit the neighborhood and see potential properties.

In the same vein, don’t be swayed on important things. A two-hour commute in traffic might feel doable for that beautiful Victorian, but in practice, it won’t be worth it.

Negotiables
The crime statistics might be a non-negotiable. Same with access to public transportation or good schools, but a view, extra bathroom, finished basement, or two car garage are things that are worth negotiating for the right price or amenities. You should have a list of things you want, but you should also be prepared to sacrifice some add-ons for the right location or price.