Choosing your new neighborhood can be a little overwhelming...how can you be sure you're choosing the right spot to put down your roots? Here are a few ideas that can help you make the most informed decision possible.

START WITH A LIST OF THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO YOU

Are options for outdoor activities important to you? Do you want to be able to walk to shops and restaurants? What about schools? Make a list of the things that are important to you so you can narrow down on some particular areas. Here are a few things you might want to consider:

Commute times - How far are you willing to commute? If you're concerned about commute times, put this at the top of your list. You'll want to start your search in neighborhoods close to your workplace and neighborhoods with a lower traffic and/or direct route to your workplace.

Schools - Do you have children? Or do you have plans for children in the future? If so, you'll likely want to move somewhere with community parks and play areas, zoned into a good school district that feels safe to you.

Home style - What kind of home do you want? Are you interested in a condo, townhome or single-family home? Along with this initial determination, knowing if you prefer new construction, older or historic homes, or transitional styles will help your realtor point you in the right direction.

What do you not want in a neighborhood? If noise, traffic or lack of walkability are deal breakers for you, be sure you add those items to your list.

NARROW YOUR SEARCH TO A SPECIFIC AREA

Once you have a general idea of what area you want to live in, it's time to start looking more closely at the specific neighborhoods and streets you may be interested in.  Reaching out to friends and colleagues who may know someone in your new town may be helpful, as they are likely familiar with the personalities of each area. Also, finding an experience Realtor who is knowledgeable about all the various areas should be a priority.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

We live in an age where information and data is easily accessible online. Once you know what area you may want to live in, you'll want to check as many statistics as possible to see if it's a good fit. While real estate agents can recommend things to do nearby, you'll need to look at the data yourself to decide if the area is safe enough for you. Here are a few things to take a look at: 

School information. Be sure to research the public and private schools nearby, as well as daycare programs.

Crime statistics. Most jurisdictions have crime statistics based on zip code. It can be helpful to compare neighboring zip codes to be sure you're moving to an area where you feel comfortable.

Neighborhood associations. Does your potential community have a neighborhood association? If it does, familiarize yourself with its restrictions and yearly HOA fees if there are any. 

VISIT THE NEIGHBORHOODS

This may be easier said than done if you live out of town, but make the time for this important task. Do as much research of your own prior to visiting and spread your visits out if necessary. If you don't have a chance to do some preliminary visits, be sure to make a list of the neighborhoods before visiting so your real estate agent can take you to see each of them. 

Make note of your first impression. What is your gut feeling when first driving into the neighborhood? Is there curb appeal? Are the houses well-maintained? If you feel good when first visiting the neighborhood, chances are you'll be more comfortable calling it home. 

Visualize your daily routine. If you lived in this neighborhood, what would your daily routine look like? 

Visit at different times of day. If at all possible, try and visit the neighborhood at different times of the day. A neighborhood can have a completely different feel during the day than it does after the sunset.

Talk to other residents. If you run into neighbors on the street, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation. 

Picking a neighborhood takes time, thought and planning, but these tips will help you pick the best area for your lifestyle and needs. At BRG, we're lucky to have Realtors who love living here and are happy to share their knowledge of all the great amentities available here...besides the obvious...living at the beach!