Choosing the best neighborhood matters a lot as it affects your life. Before beginning your search of a place to rent or buy, you should choose a neighborhood. The area can make a big difference in the success of your move. How to find a good neighborhood? Check out our list of key factors.
Read The Reviews
Fortunately, the internet is always here to help you in making this important decision. There are lots of people eager to share their good or bad experience regarding the neighborhood they live in. You can find the reviews on StreetAdvisor, Yelp or City Data. The first one allows you even to choose a street. All of them are a great resource for reviews about every neighborhood in NYC.
If someone didn’t like the neighborhood it doesn’t mean that neither will you. Go to the area you like and talk to potential neighbors. Have a look at the houses. Are they in good condition?
Dig Deeper
How to find a good neighborhood? Learn all the possible details about the ones you’re considering. What are the most important factors for you? Keep in mind that you will most probably have to make compromises, so scrutinize every neighborhood carefully.
- Take a virtual tour. At the beginning of your search, check out the neighborhoods on Google Maps and enjoy the virtual tours. If you have children, find out everything about the best schools. Which of them are located close to the street you’re planning to move to? Choosing the best neighborhood for families is very important.
- Bars and Restaurants. In case you’re trying to find a good neighborhood for young professionals, check the details the area’s dining options, nightlife, and the commute system. Find the locals’ experience regarding bars and restaurants. Citysearch and Yelp will tell you about the most popular places to visit.
- Determine the walkability. Decide whether you’re going to need a car to reach all the daily destinations. Walk Score has a “walkability score” of neighborhoods.
- See it with your own eyes. Once you have narrowed down your search, go to the chosen areas. You should definitely visit the neighborhood at least a few times, at different times of the day. Every next visit will open new details for you. Remember your first impression. What were the things that drew your attention most of all?
- Crime statistics. Another important point if finding a good neighborhood is the crime rate. You won’t like the new neighborhood unless you will safe there. Use CrimeReports and City Data to get a sense of safety level in the area. Of course, places with high crime rates will have lower rental and sale prices, but is it really worth it?
- Expenses. Don’t forget to evaluate all cost of living factors, such as utility rates, groceries prices, healthcare costs, etc.
- Greenery. How far is the closest park? Do the streets have enough trees?
- Sidewalks. Don’t be surprised as decent sidewalks can tell you a lot about the community that either takes care about its residents or doesn’t.
How to find a good neighborhood? If you’re planning to buy an apartment or house, we would rather suggest you rent a place in the chosen nabe for some time. It’s only when you will be able to feel the atmosphere and decide if it’s the right place for you and your family, even a future one. Thus, renting before buying will let you make a good home-buying decision.
