Choosing the right neighborhood can be a challenging task. Not every neighborhood is right for every family. Whether you’re looking to buy a house to retire in or a house to raise a family in, there are several things that you should take in to consideration before buying.
Make a list of what you want in your ideal neighborhood. Compromises may have to be made, so make a list of “must-haves” as well. Here are a few things to consider when  making your list:
1. Do you have children or are planning to have children soon? If you answered yes, make sure you’re looking at property with a good school system. Also consider the proximity of parks and community centers. Are there other children in the neighborhood?
2. What type of house do you want? You’ll have to ask yourself what style of house you’re looking for. It’s important to know if you want an apartment, a condo or a house with several bedrooms.. Depending on your answer, you could change where you end up.
3. How long are you willing to commute? Do you plan on driving to work or do you prefer walking or public transportation? It’s a good idea to visit a prospective neighborhood during various times of the day, this way you can see what the neighborhood looks like during the morning, afternoon and night.
4. Factor in your lifestyle. Are you and your family active? Do you like to be close to a city or far away from that type of lifestyle? Is it important that you’re able to run or ride your bike in your neighborhood or is it more important to be close to museums and shops?
5. Think about what you don’t want in a neighborhood, too. This is just as important as what you do want. Can you live with the closest grocery store being 10 miles away? Can you live with the houses in the neighborhood being close together? Make a list of the things you don’t want as well, putting the “absolutely not’s” at the top.