Youre finally at the point in your life where you are ready to buy a house. You are financially stable and are ready for a taste of more independence. Thats great news! Now, before you even start looking at the property market, there is one important thing to discover. Where exactly do you want to live? You will need to consider various neighborhoods before making your decision. The choice can be much harder if you are planning on moving to a completely new town! So what should you be looking for to find the perfect area? Read on to find out!

Schools

This is very important if you have or are planning on having kids. You will need to ensure that you live close enough to a good school. Living within walking distance would be a good idea because then kids can walk themselves there once they are old enough. If you need to drive them there and back every day, you need to make sure you can fit this into your schedule. When looking for a school, check local authority reports. This will give you an idea of how well pupils perform in the school.

Amenities

Find a community that has a lot to offer. This will help you make friends and to feel like you are playing an active role in your neighborhood. Things like town halls, community centers, and recreational areas can help you see how big a part the community plays. It is also to make sure that there are many important amenities close to your home. Shops and supermarkets are useful but look for emergency places as well, such as hospitals and fire stations.

Sidewalks

This is something people often overlook when buying a home. However, they will certainly notice it once they have moved in! Sidewalks are an important safety feature to any neighborhood. No sidewalks mean you will have to risk walking at the side of the road. This can be very dangerous if you have young children. Areas of New Homes with lots of sidewalks are usually very desirable with families with small kids and pets.

Future Plans

Something else many people dont consider is any new builds or developments that are planned for the neighborhood. When you view a house, the area could be quiet and fairly pleasant. However, once you have moved in you may discover that a new retail park is going to be built right around the corner from you. So before you commit to buy a new home, have a chat with current owners and the estate agents to make sure you dont get any nasty surprises once you move in.

Taxes

Some nicer areas of towns charge fees for buying a home there. This is to keep the community up to a certain standard. You will also need to be aware of any property taxes you may need to pay. So make sure you can afford these taxes and fees before you buy.

So what are you waiting for? Start checking out neighborhoods today!