What To Look For In A Neighborhood
Many Minnesota First Time Home Buyers often ask me “what do we want to look for in a neighborhood?” This is a very good question, and while everyone prefers a little something different for their surroundings, there are a few key factors that should go into making the choice of where to search for MN properties.
I’ve made a short list of things to look for when evaluating a neighborhood, and I’ve also written a little detail on each item so you can judge how important it is for you.
Crime/Safety
This is probably the #1 thing most people are concerned about when house hunting, and deservedly so. You obviously want to feel safe around your neighbors, and checking the local crime statistics online can help you determine what sort of place it is. I would also recommend taking a walk and/or drive around the neighborhood at a couple different times of day and night, just to see if there are suspect people roaming the area.
Pride of Ownership
This is one of those “intangibles” that you’ll want to looks for in a neighborhood. Areas with a higher percentage of Owner Occupants (non-rental homes) are typically nicer to live in, since people are invested financially and emotionally in their homes. Are the houses well-kept, or are their lawns overgrown and ugly? Are their excessive toys or junk in the yard? Basically, does it look like people enjoy living here and take care of their community? If not, you may want to look elsewhere for a home.
Schools and Education
This is another important aspect, especially for buyers who have school-aged children. Sometimes there is too much stock put into which school district a house is located in, but in a lot of cases it is meaningful to match your students with the right school. The main things to be aware of are the safety of the schools, graduation rates, extra-curricular activities offered, and school budgets. Don’t worry about getting into the top ranked district in the state, just try to focus on the needs of your students and their learning methods.
Proximity to Work
Since we Americans spend about 40-50 hours a week at our jobs, it’s important to be somewhat close to our workplaces. When looking for a new home, keep in mind the time it will take you or your spouse to get to work, and also which routes you’ll take to get there. Major projects are always going on somewhere in the metro area, and you should make sure you have some options that might help cut your commute time down.
Proximity to Friends/Family
You obviously don’t want to isolate yourself from your loved ones, so take into account where your friends and family live and work. You’re likely to make friends with neighbors and other people around the area, but don’t cut yourself off from existing relationships if getting together with friends and family is important to you.
Shopping and Restaurants
Shopping doesn’t just have to mean retail and department stores. Take into account the nearest Target, Wal-Mart, Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods, Home Depot, Menards, Walgreens, CVS, and any other stores you regularly shop at. It’s also nice to have some dining options close by for those times you need to get out of the house. Most people have cars to drive to these stores across town, but it’s much nicer to find a home that is close to some of these modern day necessities.
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Thanks for your post Steve. These are some great tips as buyers try to deterine what in fact they are looking for in a neighborhood.
I have always found the school system to really “drive the train” when it comes to neighborhoods and cities buyers with children are looking for.