Won't You Be My Neighbor? Qualities to Look for in a Neighborhood

Whether it be a rural or urban setting, looking for the right home depends on you. Do you want convenience? Do you want safety? There will be pros and cons either way. If you are the multicultural type and enjoy museums or the artsy lifestyle, maybe the city won't be such a bad idea. However, it will cost a lot of money. So you can either find a cheap studio or live with fellow roomies. I wouldn't suggest doing this if you're planning on having a family of your own but for now it should do.

Others may want to live away from the city as it may be infested with crime and noise. Let's face it. We all want our piece and quiet. The suburban area may be perfect for you. It's also perfect if you have children and want to raise a family based on the American Dream, but we all know life is not always like the Brady Bunch. So what do you look for? You will first want to browse the internet for the safest areas. One of the best websites I've found is http://www.familywatchdog.us/ which is provides parents with the National Sex Offender Registry. The instructions are simple and the only data needed to input are the street, city, state and zip. That's it!

Google Maps is a God sent. You can view what schools are nearby and what outlets you can shop at. Major highways and topography is also included in this gem. It saves you numerous open house visits and "above" all, you'll feel like you're on an airplane. Want to visit Italy? It's a click away...but in a satellite version.

Neighborly...neighbors can be important in deciding the perfect neighborhood to live in. People are the same wherever you go. The city gets a bad reputation for having unfriendly residents while suburban folks will wave hello at you every time you exit or enter your home. If this is important to you, it would be wise to become familiar with the neighborhood and its residents. Attend a local organization on an open night or simple walk around and greet the potential neighbors. Tell them about yourself and ask them about themselves. Explain to them your situation as going up to them they may seem defensive at first. Strangers in suburban neighborhoods may not feel welcomed so it's always a good idea to introduce yourself. The urban areas, not so much. You can have a Watchtower book from Jehovah's Witness and get the door slammed in your face. And they're pretty sweet people.

Those are some qualities you may want to look for in a potential new home or apartment. When planning for the future or for a little move in your life, it's always good to weigh out the various complications that may arise and the issues you'll be comfortable with. Enjoy your new home!