Choosing a neighborhood in which to raise your family can seem like a daunting task. It’s not easy to point to a place on a map and decide to put down roots and stay for years to come. Buying a home is a significant investment, and you want to be sure you’re picking the best area possible to meet the needs of your family. But you don’t have to wait to learn about your neighborhood until after you’ve already closed escrow. Here are some resources to help you research your future neighborhood ahead of time, enabling you to choose the best place to raise your family.
Look at Local School Ratings
The easiest way to find a neighborhood where you feel comfortable raising your family is to look at nearby school ratings. The website Great Schools is an incredible resource that ranks schools based on test scores and parental reviews. Simply type in the generic city or metropolitan area you’d like to live in, and look at the map to see the results. You can customize the map to only display the types of schools you’re looking for, like high schools vs. preschools. It’s easy to see where the best neighborhoods are because they typically have the highest rated schools. Once you have narrowed it down to a more specific area, GreatSchools.org will even show you individual school attendance boundaries to make searching for a home even easier.
Research Crime Statistics
It’s not enough to find a neighborhood that has good schools. Crime levels are another very important factor in any home search. Use local municipal websites or sheriff’s department websites to find out what types of crimes are being committed in the area you have chosen. NeighborhoodScout is another great resource that shows the different types of crimes in any given area. Crime is everywhere, so don’t be too alarmed when you see multiple incidents show up in your desired area. The important thing is to look at what types of crimes are being committed in your area. Are they petty crimes like a teenager stealing a lawn chair, or are they something much more serious like armed robbery and home invasion? Doing research on local crime statistics is a great way to get to know the neighborhood long before you’re committed to moving in.
Search for Nearby Amenities
Once you have settled on a neighborhood, look at the amenities that are available nearby to see if they meet your family’s needs. Check local city and county websites to locate nearby public parks and swimming pools. Look up children’s classes and activities that may be offered through your local community center. Check national and state park websites to find out if there are any state-run nature facilities nearby. Don’t forget to look for amenities for the adults as well. Are there coffee shops and restaurants nearby? What about a gym, and a grocery store? These are all things that impact quality of life and contribute to a neighborhood’s overall desirability.
Housing
Once you have chosen a neighborhood, research all the housing options for your family. Even if you are using an agent (as you should), check homes that are selling by owner. Often times homes in the best neighborhoods are sold by word of mouth before they even hit the market. Talk to people in the area and try to get the inside scoop to be sure you can find a home in your desired neighborhood.
Don’t be intimidated when trying to choose a neighborhood for your family. Doing research online before you begin house hunting can help save you a lot of wasted time and can help take a lot of the unknowns out of moving to a new area. Follow these tips and help make your next move a little more certain, and help you rest assured that you are moving your family into the best neighborhood possible.
David Glenn is a home improvement expert. He occasionally freelance writes about home maintenance and DIY home repair. He’s also knowledgeable about topics like how to improve social presence and building a reputation online.
