How to Choose a Good Neighborhood

Buying a home is a major investment. That’s why it’s important that when you pick out your ideal home, you also ensure that it’s in a great neighborhood. Living in New Orleans means you have access to a lot of areas that can meet your needs perfectly.

Here are a few tips to help you choose an area to live in.

Before starting your search

First, consider your lifestyle and what you are looking for. Ask yourself these questions:

• What type of home am I looking for?

  Pin down whether a single-family home, a condo, a townhouse, or an apartment will best suit your needs and wants.

• Are you looking to live in a historic neighborhood or do you prefer a new development?

  Homes in the former may have lots of charm and character, but you might need to do some renovation. The latter will likely have homes with more modern features, but may be farther away from the city center.

• Do you prefer a quiet neighborhood or do you like the hustle and bustle of busy streets?

  Is a close-knit community important or do you prefer anonymity?

• How does it score in walkability?

  Is it safe to walk? Are there restaurants, bars, shops, movie houses or theaters within walking distance? Is there a Starbucks nearby? Is proximity to school or work a major concern? Do you need access to public transportation or drive your own car?

Gather information

Carefully research New Orleans neighborhoods that most fit what you’re looking for. Do some research online and ask for recommendations from a local real estate agent. The things you will want to look into are:

• School information:

  If you have kids or are planning to have them in the future, then you’ll want to research the school system. Check for daycare programs and ensure access to the best public and private elementary and high schools. Ask questions such as class size, performance on standardized tests, and whether high school kids graduate from high school and go on to college.

• Parks and recreation:

  If you lead an active lifestyle or, perhaps, own a dog, then access to greenery, local parks and jogging paths or recreation centers will likely top your list.

• Crime statistics:

  Look up crime statistics on real estate sites to check how crime rates in the area measure up to the national average. Also contact the local police station and read the local papers to get a handle on crime and safety rates.

Get a feel for the neighborhood

Drive or walk around the neighborhood. Get a sense of what it’s like during different times of the day. Are the people approachable and friendly? Are the homes, yards, sidewalks and streets in good repair? Is there a lot of graffiti; are there signs of vandalism? Knock on a few doors and ask potential neighbors what it’s like living in the neighborhood.

Does the community have a neighborhood association? Are there any construction restrictions? Is there an annual fee? Are there any churches, libraries, or community centers nearby? Actively search the local happenings in the area.

Future development

Future development can help improve property values, which is a good thing. However, development can also lead to increased taxes and more traffic. Investigate potential changes in the neighborhood and determine if you’re happy with the outlook

Tap the best realtor in New Orleans, LA, the Axis Realty Group, for more advice on buying and selling a home. Just call 504.336.3000 or send an email to Nicole(dotted)AxisRealty(at)Gmail(dotted)com. Click here to learn more about our team.