Buying a house and relocating is exciting. There's just something about those first weeks of exploring your new neighborhood. It's just one of the many things the adventure of house buying offers.
Location is important, and it's one of the first things you should think about when choosing a home. Of course, the value of the property is an important consideration with location, but where you live is just as important as the property itself. So, the first thing you should ask yourself is, "Where do I want to live?"
The City, The Country, Or Somewhere In Between
Your number one consideration is whether you're a city dweller or a country lover at heart. Don't let romantic ideas cloud your vision; you have to live here for a number of years to come.
The city is convenient, but it has its crowds and problems. The country is beautiful and relaxing, but it's far away from the city's conveniences.
Luckily, there are the suburbs. Here, you can enjoy the city life and country life as well. The only downside is that some people find the suburbs to be dull, and you have to remember that even the quietest suburb has a tendency to grow over time.
When deciding whether to go urban, rural or suburban, keep in mind what you see yourself doing ten years down that road. Let that help you decide.
Is It A Good Neighborhood?
For you and your family's safety, this is the most important consideration. You can get a feel for a neighborhood by simply going there and walking around.
What kind of reputation does the neighborhood have? And what about drainage problems? Or the amenities the neighborhood offers ... pool, sports areas, sidewalks?
These are questions your real estate agent should be able to help you with. You can always ask around too, and see what other people are saying.
Getting To Wherever You Need To Go
Commute time should be a major consideration. Five minutes longer to work may not seem like much, but it can really add up over weeks and weeks.
You should also think about traffic. You don't want to be stuck in a commuter traffic jam everyday.
On the other hand, if you take mass transit to work, you'll want to look into your bus or train commute. How far is your new neighborhood from bus routes and stations?
What Is There To Do?
Next, think about your lifestyle. What do you like to do? Do you enjoy having a bit of nightlife or are you a homebody?
If you like going out, you may want to make sure there are some nice restaurants or bars in the area. If you like shopping, you'll want someplace to go nearby. If you have an active lifestyle, you'll want some parks and scenery nearby.
Look For The Things You Need
If you have kids, think about school districts. What school will they be going to and will it be easy to get there? Kids have to commute too!
Hospitals are another thing to look for. How far are you from the nearest medical facility? And, would you be alright in case of an emergency? This is especially important to think about if you want to live in a rural area.
Your real estate agent will be a big help in getting you the location you want. They are knowledgeable about the areas where they do business. You can always ask them your location questions.