If you are looking for a new home in Pensacola, you will need to decide whether your new neighborhood will suit your lifestyle. Where we choose to live is just as important as choosing a home. The physical location home plays a crucial role in making a happy home. It’s important to realize that buying a home is like buying a part of your neighborhood.
Therefore, when you begin your hunt for a home in Pensacola, you should not just look at the home but your potential neighborhood as well. You might have preconceived notions about how your dream home will look. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to everything that surrounds your perfect home.
So, how do you decide if a particular location is ideal for buying a new home? Here are some basic tips for choosing the best neighborhood.
Tips To Choose The Right Neighborhood
If you are not quite sure what to look for in a neighborhood, consider the below-given tips:
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Rural, Suburbs, or City – What Will You Prefer?
Big yards, open space, and nightlife, or peaceful surroundings and a close-knit community – what matches your lifestyle? Each has its own pros and cons but what matters is your preference. Do you find it comfortable living with so many people? Do you want all the amenities within walking distance? Deciding what your ideal setting will be can help you choose the right neighborhood.
Changing your neighborhood can be tedious, so make sure your expectations are viable and educated.
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Appearance and Feel of the Neighborhood
“Don’t judge the book by its cover.” Any physical location may not necessarily be exactly how it looks. It is a good idea to walk around the neighborhood and explore it as much as you can. Do the houses have nicely trimmed trees? Are the streets well-lit and clean? Are their abandoned plots or vacant properties? Possibly, these could be used for commercial purposes, which will change the look and feel of the neighborhood in the future.
Remember, the purpose here is to find a neighborhood that is relative to your needs and make your living comfortable in every possible way.
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Safety & Crime
When it comes to moving to a new home with kids, parents, and spouses, safety is the foremost concern. Do some research on the crime status in your chosen area. Try to find out information on crime statistics – research online, contact the neighbors, store owners, and the local police department.
Take a drive through the entire area and consider places where there’s a lot of graffiti or vandalism. Also, check if the area is well-protected with measures like high fences, “beware of dogs” signs and bars on windows.
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Schools
With kids, it’s important to find a neighborhood with good schools. A well-maintained local school is a sign of a good neighborhood. Also, check how long it will take for your kids to get to school every day. Is the school close by, or will they need to take public transportation? How long does it take to drive to the school? Is the trip safe? If you’ve tiny tots, are there reliable daycare centers nearby? Also, check the local school rules to find out which schools your kids can attend.
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Closeness to Restaurants and Shopping
You may not want to live in a noisy area with a proximity to the local market. However, you would want to have a few shops, like the grocery, medical, and milk parlors, to fulfill your daily needs. These places are among those where you may need to make frequent trips. Hence, look for a neighborhood that has all these amenities nearby.
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Parks & Playgrounds for Kids
You may want to ensure that your chosen neighborhood has well-maintained and safe parks for kids and pets. Having such areas speak a lot about the type of neighborhood you are moving into. But if the park has garbage and broken swings, it means it isn’t maintained. As such, there’s no point in relying on neighborhoods with no strong community programs.
Well, this may not be a consideration for families who have a rural property with enough space for kids or pets to have fun. But if you choose to live in the city, having a children-friendly space to play and make friends is imperative.
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Public Transportation
It’s a necessity!! Check if there is public transportation available in the area. How often does the transit stop during peak times? How far is the airport? What is the cost of public transportation? Ensure everything before you move in!
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Property Taxes and Home Values
Another major factor when choosing the right neighborhood is the property values and taxes. Seek details about current property values in the chosen neighborhood, and compare them with the average prices five and ten years earlier. Assess how much property values have hiked and whether the neighborhood has undergone any major changes during that time. Further, find out if the neighborhood has plans for development in the future. Take help from the neighboring Chamber of Commerce or city hall to find this information.
Please note that future developments might affect property taxes and other factors such as road traffic. Therefore, it’s a good idea to know if there will be changes in the area and when they will happen. This will ensure you are making a profitable investment and can expect your property value to increase in your new home.
The TakeAway
Finding the ideal home is essential to a happy and comfortable life. Because even if you find the best home with all the features, you won’t feel satisfied if the surrounding areas fail to win you. So, take your time and make a decision accordingly.
