Factors to Consider When Choosing a Neighborhood

. Neighborhood Safety

The safety of a neighborhood is a very important factor when looking to buy a house, especially if you have children. Here are some things you can look into to help you get a better sense of whether or not a neighborhood feels safe:

• Crime statistics: Every area will have some criminal activity from time to time, so don’t be overly discouraged if you can't find a completely crime-free area. There are plenty of reputable online resources to check crime maps, but the most accurate data will likely come from the criminal reports on the city’s website or directly from local law enforcement. Also, consider how it might change based on seasonality. For example, if you are house hunting in the winter, the month-over-month report for the colder months may be different than what it is over the summer when there are events and activities bringing more people to the area.
• Neighborhood watch: Is there a neighborhood watch group established in the area? This may not be a deal breaker, but it’s something some families value. Ask local law enforcement or one of the residents. You might also see a street sign indicating it is a neighborhood watch area.
• Street lighting: Adequate street lighting can help many people feel safer in a neighborhood.
• Talk with neighbors: If you see someone walking their dog, mowing the lawn, or just grabbing their mail, introduce yourself by telling them you may be interested in moving to the neighborhood. Residents can tell you firsthand whether or not they feel the area is safe.

Of course, these aren’t the only ways to determine the safety of a neighborhood, and you should always trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, keep searching for the neighborhood that makes you feel secure. Spending time in a neighborhood you’re looking at is a good idea, too.

2. Nearby Necessities

Food, medications, and toiletries are necessities for daily life. If convenience is important to you, you may want to consider choosing a location that’s close to where you will be running a majority of your errands.

Map out where the neighborhood is in relation to the nearest pharmacy, grocery, and department stores. Are they conveniently close, or will your trip to the store require more time or effort?If these stores are not necessarily close to your home but are on your way to/from work, school, or daycare, that is also something that may factor into your decision.

3. School District

Whether you're planning to have kids in the near future, you just had your first child, or you have a few youngsters in school already, finding a well-performing school district is something many families prioritize when looking for the right location to live. How do you determine if a school district is "good" or not?

• Test scores and data: State test scores can be an indicator of whether a certain school district is performing at, below, or above the state average.
• Programming: School programming can be a big deal for some families. If the adults in the house work full time during the day, after-school programs can be a big help in the few hours after school before the workday ends. For families with children who have special needs, it is very important to choose a district that has the resources to give them proper accommodations, extra support, etc. If your student does well in many classes, you may want to see if the district you're considering offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes or college-level courses that can go toward continued education after high school.
• Extracurricular activities: Maybe your child loves writing or performing in musicals. Does the school have a newspaper? What about a science/math/art/book club?Finding a district that caters to your children's interests and strengths will help toward their success.
• Sports programs: Maybe you assume all school districts offer high school football, have a swimming team, and are competitive in lacrosse. But maybe the district you're looking into is too small or lacks the funding to support specific sports. Double-check to see what athletic programs are offered.
• PTO: If open parent and teacher communication and cooperation is important to you, ask about its Parent Teacher Organization or Association (PTO/PTA). Is there one? How many people actively participate? How often do they meet? What types of topics are discussed when they do meet? Is it an open and welcoming group?

4. Nearby Parks, Walking Paths, or Dog Parks