Beyond The Structure: Choosing The Right Neighborhood
If you are in the market for a new house, it pays to go beyond the structure and consider the neighborhood, too. Even if a homes for sale ticks all your boxes as far as looks, style, and size are concerned, it would still be a mistake to buy it if it is located in the wrong part of town. Therefore, before buying a house, answer these four questions to check if the neighborhood is right for you:
Will You Get To Work on Time?
Most people factor distance from your workplace when looking for a place to rent. This is good, but it isn't necessarily enough because the distance to your workplace isn't necessarily the only factor that determines how fast you get there. You also need to consider other things such as traffic during peak times and the modes of transport available in the area. For example, if you don't have a car, you must ensure that public transportation is reliable on your route; otherwise, your boss may tire of chewing your ears for being late and just let you go.
Do You Have or Plan to Have Kids?
Unless you are planning to sign an extremely short lease, you need to consider whether you will be living with any kids in your home. If you plan on raising kids in the area, then the neighborhood you choose must be suitable for raising kids. For example, you need to determine that they will be safe, have access to playgrounds, and have daycare nearby who can take care of them.
Do You Have A Car?
Many people are choosing not to own cars, but others find it a basic necessity. Living with or without a car can be a nightmare or a walk in the park depending on where you live. For example, it's stressful to have a car in an area where traffic is a nightmare, finding a place to park is rocket science, and thieves routinely burglarize cars (especially if you don't have a garage). At the same time, it's difficult to live without a car in an area where public transportation is as unreliable as they come.
What Do You Do In Your Free Time?
Work and play all necessary, and you will be stressed if you always prioritize one over the other. Therefore, in addition to considering proximity to your workplace, you should also consider the activities you love to indulge in your free time. For example, if you love going to the movies, you wouldn't be happy in a place where it takes you three hours (think distance plus traffic) just to get to the theater. Another example is a night owl who loves pub crawling and going to all-night eateries but then chooses a house in a suburb where businesses close at dusk.
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