Choosing a house that’s right for you is essential, but don’t forget the importance of finding a house in an area that meets your needs! Here are some tips for choosing a new area to move to.
Choose an area you can afford. It’s easy to become caught up in finding a house you can afford without checking to make sure you can afford living there. Check on property taxes, local amenities like schools and libraries, and prices in the local shops.
Decide what type of area you want to live in. If you love going out at night, or exploring museums and art galleries, a rural or suburban area is probably not going to suit you. Likewise, if you enjoy quiet, life in an urban environment is not idea.
Visit your intended area at all hours. A neighborhood that’s quiet at mid-morning may be raucous with noise when the local schools let out in the afternoon. An area that seems acceptable during the day may feel unsafe at night. Find one that feels right no matter when you visit.
Consider your commute to work. Long commutes are frustrating and expensive, so you most likely want to avoid living far from your place of work when possible. Practice the drive or bus route from the new area to your place of work. Is it feasible for every work day?
Take a long term view. While you don’t want to stress over predicting the future, it’s often a good idea to move somewhere you can grow into, rather than somewhere you will grow out of. If you have very young children, or are planning to start a family soon, an area with good schools will be highly desirable.
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