When you’re trying to find a new place to live, picking a neighborhood is just as important as choosing your new house or apartment. There are many things to consider when you’re looking at different neighborhoods, for example, if you have children, your emphasis might be on finding a neighborhood with the best school in the area. However you decide to choose your new neighborhood, here are some things you might want to look into.
Commute
Figuring out how far of a commute you will have is one of the biggest stressors in choosing a new place to live. Nobody wants to spend more time on their drive than they need to, which means choosing a neighborhood with reasonable commute times is one of the most important aspects to look at when moving. One way to figure this out would be to map the route during rush hour or most map apps have the ability to set your arrival time and they will show you when you should leave.
Amenities
How close are you to grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, parks? These are all good things to consider when choosing your new neighborhood. Whether you enjoy going out for a bite to eat, grabbing drinks with friends, or going for a walk around a park, each neighborhood can offer you a different mix of these. Finding the one that checks the most boxes might help your move feel more comfortable.
Walkability
Do you prefer to get outside and get some fresh air during your free time? Then maybe you want to consider a neighborhood with various things you can do within walking distance. Although this can be tough in the Midwest with the harsh winters, the summer and fall months are one of the main reasons people choose to live here. Start by thinking of some of your favorite shops, restaurants, and activities and see what neighborhoods offer the most that interest you within a walkable distance.
Schools
One of the best indicators of a good neighborhood is their school. If you have children, this is probably one of the biggest factors in determining what neighborhood would be the best fit. You can learn about most schools by browsing around online but it’s also a good idea to consider how your child would get to the school and if it is safe for them to bike or walk.
Explore
Finally, the best way to get to know your future neighborhood and make sure it’s a good fit is to get out and explore. Drive around the area to get to know what they have to offer; it might help to go out at different times so you can get a feel for the flow and how busy it is. Observe the residents to try to get an idea of the main demographic and if it seems like they are enjoying the area.