We all know how difficult it is to find a place we feel at home. So, before you move into your next home, let's explore! You won't regret taking this small step towards finding the perfect neighborhood that suits you and your family. Explore different areas around town until something catches your eye; if there are certain places where people seem happy, then perhaps they should be visited first.
Before you go...
Google the town
The area need to be just right when you're looking for a place to call home. How will you know if our new city or town has great spots? Try to find some information on Google. Search the name of the city or area you are interested in living in, then, check StreetAdvisor, which is dedicated to neighborhood reviews and information. I also suggest checking out neighborhood details on Yelp.
Check out the local Facebook page
Joining Facebook groups is one way to tap into your community and learn about what's happening in the area. These social media sites have many local pages or discussion forums that can provide information specific to demographics such as parents with toddlers, business owners, etc.
Set up alerts for new listings
Start looking at home listings to get an idea of how much the homes are selling for in the area. You can access this information through my website, or by contacting me directly.
Rent an Airbnb in the area
Before you move, it's a good idea to spend some time in the new town and decide whether it's really for you. Hotels are good, but to get a better sense of what it's like to live there, see if you can rent an Airbnb or another vacation rental so that you'll be staying in an actual home similar to the one where you might live. This will give you plenty of opportunities to figure out where the local grocery store is, how to get to the park, the best route to work, and more.
Read the local paper
Not every area has a local paper, but if the place where you're considering moving does, then the local newspaper is a great asset. This may be valuable in learning about what's happing in and around the town. Even if you're not usually a reader of the lifestyle section, it can also give you essential insight into how other people and community members in the area spend their time.
Dining in a few restaurants
It's always a good idea to check out the local cuisine, the quality of the restaurants, and the people who go to them. This kind of environment you'll be in is essential. As you eat your meal, ask yourself if you already feel like a local or an intruder. Is the food good and would you go here again?
Take a walk
Weather permitting, I recommend taking a walk in the neighborhood that you're interested in. It will give you a good assessment as to whether the neighborhood is safe and pedestrian-friendly.
Examine the cost of living
The real estate market is just one of many factors that will influence your monthly expenses; you'll also want to look into other cost-of-living factors, like the price of gas, public transportation, utilities (electricity, gas, water, and internet providers), and even the average cost of groceries in the town. It might seem like moving to a more rural area is an excellent way to save money, but if the cost of healthcare and groceries is higher than you're used to paying, then maybe it's not such a great deal after all - make sure you understand what you're getting into before you move.
Summary
Moving to a new area is an adventure, which can be stressful if you don't know what to expect. So before you relocate, do some research, and you should be much happier with the new home you buy!
Contact me to start your home search today!
