According to new census data, the ordinary person in the U.S. moves neighborhoods more than 11 times in their lifetime.

When searching for a house, the location is one of the most vital decisions that you’ll have to make. This is because the community around you will hugely affect your satisfaction in a new house. We advise narrowing in on your top neighborhood preferences before starting the search for the perfect home.

7 Tips for Choosing a Neighborhood

Here are some tips that you should consider when contemplating on which neighborhood to choose:

1. Consider Your Current Lifestyle and Needs 

You might find the best home that suits all your needs but if the neighborhood doesn’t suit your lifestyle, it could cause discontentment in the long run. You’ll need to consider your daily routine and identify the things that you could and couldn’t live with in the neighborhood. For example, are you comfortable with loud neighbors or do you want to have more privacy in your backyard?

2. Consider Safety

Crime statistics can help you determine the right neighborhood. To obtain information about an area’s crime rate, the internet is a good source of information. However, the best way to find detailed information about neighborhood crime rate is to check with the local police department.

It’s important to acknowledge that neighborhood stability and crime statistics are a two-edged sword. Highly secure areas have higher auto and home insurance rates compared to less secure areas. This enables them to have fewer risks of property damage or theft thus making it more expensive to locate in these neighborhoods.

3. Consider Renting Before You Buy

It’s difficult to be 100% sure that your new neighborhood is the right pick until you’ve stayed there for some time. That’s why it’s a good idea to rent your first house in a new neighborhood, particularly if you’re moving from far away and aren’t familiar with your new city.

When renting, you can decide to go for a 12-month lease or get on a month-to-month rental agreement to determine whether you want to stay in the new neighborhood for the long haul.

4. Consider the Local School District and School Systems

Whether you have children or are expecting a child, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when choosing a neighborhood. This is because, in some areas, school zoning is determined by your exact neighborhood.

There are several ways to get the information on a local school district such as calling the local school district’s main office or checking their website. You’ll need to ensure your new neighborhood offers a school system that has positive reviews and boasts of high student results.

5. Amenities and Conveniences

Take time to visit every neighborhood you’re considering to live in and identify the nearby amenities and conveniences. Identify some local amenities such as recreational activities, parks, museums, community centers, and more.

Since walkability has become a must-have convenience. Many people are preferring to live in neighborhoods where they can walk to the local shopping centers, coffee shops, dining spots, and more.

6. Consider the Type of Home You’ll Be Looking For

Though some neighborhoods have a variety of housing types, and thus a higher possibility of getting a place that satisfies as many needs as possible, other areas do not. In some other neighborhoods, you can purchase a lot and get a custom home builder to build the foundation and help you customize your dream home.

7. Consider Local Property Tax Rates

Differences in property taxation between neighborhoods can be huge. This is mainly because of the difference in tax rates and home values. Property tax is normally set by the local government and is based on the value of the land and type of building on it. Some of the factors that may increase property tax rates in a particular neighborhood include the increase in home sales, accessibility to public amenities, and the increase in local employee benefits.

When considering moving to a neighborhood, call the local municipality, or visit their website to check out their property tax rates and compare to nearby neighborhoods.

Let’s Help You Find Your Dream Home

It’s important to understand that no neighborhood will be perfect, but one may be just right for you and your family. You’ll possibly have to sacrifice a few of your ideal neighborhood expectations to find one that will eventually become your home.

Choosing a new community and a new home is an exciting endeavor. If you need help finding a neighborhood near Dayton, Miami Valley, Bellbrook, Centerville, and surrounding areas in Ohio, our experts would love to help.

Give us a call today via 937-531-5505 to get professional real estate help.