Buying the house itself is only part of home buying. When you buy a new home, you choose a brand new place to live. In some cases, that place might be unfamiliar or far away from where you lived before. So, it's important to keep the local area in mind during your search. But how can you determine whether a neighborhood is right for you? Here are some basic questions to ask to learn more about your new neighborhood:
It's quicker than ever to find an area's crime statistics on the internet or through local law enforcement, but that will only tell you so much. When trying to determine how safe a neighborhood might be, you can ask questions like:
These are only a few of the details to consider, but a great place to begin when trying to learn about neighborhood safety. If possible, try visiting your new neighborhood a few times to get an in-person feel of the area.
If you have children in your household or are planning to in the future, school districts will make a big difference. The quality and choices of schools nearby is a great thing to research to see where your new neighborhood would fit among the options. Try comparing statistics like dropout rates, test scores and reviews from both parents and students.
If you're interested in adult education or specialist training, check to see what options your new neighborhood provides. While you won't be restricted by districts in the same way as primary schools, ease of access can make a significant difference in your education and overall quality of life.
These are only a few things to keep in mind when researching a potential new neighborhood. The more you can learn about an area before you move, the more likely you are to feel at-home.
Hi, I'm Anna Woods and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
I am a full-service Realtor® since 2010. I serve the High Desert in Southern California.
Prior to earning my real estate license, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting at California State University, San Bernardino in 2002. I found myself not satisfied in my work life, so I sought out a new career. I found happiness in helping families obtain their dream homes. In 2019 I became an Associate Broker.
I moved to the High Desert in 2003, in search of peace and quiet away from the city lights. I found the rural lifestyle in the High Desert. I now have several farm animals and love to garden.