| If houses are like spouses, a neighborhood is like | | | | person. There's no better way to paint a real |
| the extended family. But while you can have a | | | | picture of life in the neighborhood. Use your |
| good marriage and still dread holidays with the | | | | senses to get a complete picture of the |
| in-laws, you'll never love a house if you don't like | | | | prospective community. |
| your neighborhood. | | | | Sights: |
| How can you choose the right community in | | | | Remember your first impression. What do |
| Arizona or any other area? Become a | | | | you notice first about the neighborhood? Do the |
| neighborhood detective. | | | | streets have curb appeal? Are the houses |
| Figure out what you're looking for, do research | | | | well-maintained? Do the shops and restaurants |
| and find a neighborhood that fits your description. | | | | look hip and inviting? You'll want to feel good |
| You don't even have to wear a trench coat -- but | | | | about where you call home, and impress buyers |
| it probably wouldn't hurt. | | | | when you're ready to move on. |
| STEP 1 -- Profile Your Perfect Neighborhood | | | | Visualize yourself in the neighborhood. Think |
| Before you start scrutinizing neighborhoods, turn | | | | of your daily routine. If you can't live without a |
| the magnifying glass back on yourself. Think about | | | | morning latte, is there a coffee shop nearby? |
| what you're really looking for in a new | | | | Where will you walk your dog or go jogging? You'll |
| neighborhood. Remember, you'll probably have to | | | | enjoy the neighborhood more if it's easy to do |
| make compromises, so put the "must-haves" at | | | | what you like. |
| the top and the "would- like-to-haves" at the | | | | Observe the neighborhood at different times |
| bottom. Not sure what fits your lifestyle? | | | | of the day. Driving through will help you get a |
| Here are some things to consider: | | | | snapshot of life in the community -- good and bad. |
| Do you have children or are you planning to | | | | Do the roads turn into a parking lot after school |
| have children anytime soon? Parents know that | | | | or during rush hour? Are people using grills or |
| the first thing to do when looking at a | | | | decks in the evening? Are neighbors and kids |
| neighborhood is to research the school system. | | | | socializing or do people keep to themselves? Are |
| Even if you're single, living in an area with a much | | | | the streets well-lit at night? These visual clues can |
| sought-after school system raises your property | | | | help you decide if you'll fit in. |
| value. If you have kids, you'll also want to live | | | | Make sure the local schools make the grade. |
| close to parks and community centers. | | | | Even if you don't have kids, pay a visit to the |
| What type of home do you want? Are you | | | | nearby schools. High ratings are great, but seeing |
| interested in a single-family home or an | | | | the buildings is much more telling. It will be easier |
| apartment, townhouse or co-op. | | | | to sell your house later if the schools are nice. |
| How far are you willing to commute? Do you | | | | Look for warning signs. Be on the lookout for |
| plan to drive, walk or take mass transit to work? | | | | signs that the neighborhood is in trouble. Do you |
| Do you have a car or would you be willing to get | | | | see abandoned buildings or vandalism? Are there a |
| one? | | | | lot of "For Sale" signs or rentals? If the |
| Do you want to be in a historic neighborhood | | | | community goes downhill, so does your house's |
| or a new development? Historic neighborhoods | | | | value. |
| have tons of character, but often require lots of | | | | Sounds: |
| repair work and are governed by community | | | | Stop and listen. Bird and nature sounds are |
| associations with strict standards. Newer | | | | generally pleasant, but what about noise from the |
| developments have more modern features, but | | | | highway, airport, hospital, train tracks or nearby |
| are typically far from the city center. | | | | clubs and bars? It's not very relaxing to listen to |
| What is your current community lacking? If | | | | trains screech by during your morning coffee -- |
| you're currently landlocked, but have always | | | | especially not every morning. |
| wanted to live on the waterfront, put that at the | | | | Talk to your future neighbors. Ask how they |
| top of your list. If you're a coffee junkie, having a | | | | like the area, and get the dirt on anything they |
| Starbucks down the street may be a dream | | | | don't like about the place. What do they want to |
| come true. | | | | change? What's their favorite place to hang out? |
| Do you want to be able to go places on | | | | If they're rude to you, they probably wouldn't be |
| foot? Would you like to be within walking distance | | | | good neighbors anyway. |
| of shops, restaurants and bars? Or would you be | | | | Talk to more people. You'll get the best |
| willing to drive to nearby businesses? | | | | information from regular people who aren't trying |
| Think about what you don't want in a | | | | to make a sale. (Read: not your real estate |
| neighborhood, too. If you can't stand late-night | | | | agent.) Hit up your waiter for information when |
| noise, you'll probably want to steer clear of the | | | | you're checking out the local food, or ask a gas |
| college area or an area with a lively bar scene. | | | | station attendant to spill what they know about |
| STEP 2 -- Zero In on the Area | | | | your chosen neighborhood. |
| If you're moving within the same city, you may | | | | Smells: |
| already know the various neighborhoods. Choose | | | | Specifically, are there any? You can't |
| the ones that best match your list of wants. If | | | | experience unpleasant smells on the Internet and |
| you're moving to a new city, you'll have to do | | | | they're not advertised in tourism brochures, but |
| more research. Start by picking a part of town to | | | | they can certainly affect your decision to live in |
| search in. For instance, if your job is on the west | | | | an area. Take a big whiff of the air, and ask |
| side of town, start there. In a really large city, | | | | around if you smell any fishy (or just bad) odors. |
| narrow it down to a few-block radius, say, SoHo | | | | Taste: |
| in New York City. This will make your search | | | | No, I'm not asking you to lick your |
| more focused. | | | | prospective home's mailbox. But ask yourself if |
| STEP 3 -- Get the Suspects | | | | the neighborhood matches your taste in a living |
| With your area of the city in mind, start digging | | | | environment -- and if it meets your criteria. Just |
| up information. Find interesting neighborhoods | | | | because it's a nice neighborhood doesn't mean it's |
| online, ask local real estate agents for | | | | the one for you. If the neighborhood meets your |
| recommendations and compile all the background | | | | list but still feels wrong, search out another area. |
| information you can, including: | | | | Trust your gut feeling -- after all, you're the one |
| School information: Look into the local public | | | | who has to live there. |
| and private elementary, junior and high schools, as | | | | STEP 5 -- Close the Case |
| well as daycare programs. | | | | You've chosen your neighborhood. Now for the |
| Crime statistics: Most real estate sites have | | | | hard part: finding a house you love. Luckily, you've |
| statistics that tell you how the zip code's crime | | | | narrowed it down to a few streets. Now, make |
| rates measure up to the national average. If you | | | | sure to: |
| want specifics, call the local police station. | | | | Find out how much house you can afford. |
| Parks and recreation: How far is it to the | | | | The amount of money a lender offers you is |
| closest park or recreation center? | | | | often more than you can truly afford to pay. Use |
| Neighborhood associations: Does the | | | | a mortgage calculator to add all your current |
| community you're looking at have one, and, if so, | | | | debts and see how much you can afford. You |
| are there lawn or construction restrictions? Is | | | | don't want to be stuck eating ramen noodles for |
| there a yearly fee? | | | | the next 15 to 30 years. |
| Tourist attractions: Get a guidebook or check | | | | Compare your loan options.. Decide between |
| out the convention and tourism bureau's Web site | | | | fixed and adjustable rate mortgages with Draw |
| to see all the city has to offer. | | | | up your vision of home. It worked for your |
| STEP 4 -- Find the Clues | | | | neighborhood -- now think about what you want |
| Once you've done the background research, visit | | | | in a home. |
| neighborhoods that made the preliminary grade in | | | | |