Common Question: "What's the Neighborhood Like?"

One of the most common questions I get from my buyers who are starting to narrow down their list of homes is “ What’s the neighborhood like"?” Some agents will tell you what you want to hear about any neighborhood, but a good agent will have insights on what features my best fit your lifestyle or your future lifestyle. If your agent doesn’t have this knowledge, here are a few ways you can check for yourself!

Drive through during rush hour traffic

While you may be able to check on a map the distance between your potential new home and your place of work, you don’t always know the perils that rush hour traffic might bring. Whether it’s identifying choke points where traffic always seems to stop or maybe looking into a few shortcuts that could help save you a few minutes. This commute will soon be part of your everyday routine, so if there are any limitations or you think you might just want something a little closer, this is a great way to get ahead.

Is it a good neighborhood for kids?

If you’re a parent or soon to be parent, having a neighborhood with other kids can be a big factor. For one, there can be potential friends nearby for them to meet who also could be their potential classmates. A great way to get a sense for this while driving around is looking for playsets, basketball hoops, or just toys around the front or back yards. Another way to tell is by driving by around school pickup and drop off times to see how many busses are around or if there are kids playing outside.

Is it the right fit for me if I like to do…?

Making sure the neighborhood is a good fit for what you like to do is very important, so figure out what you value being close to. If you like going out, make sure you’re close to restaurants and bars nearby, walking distance is a plus! If you like to shop, check for any nearby malls or small shopping centers. If you live an active lifestyle, are there lakes or walking trails nearby, OR is there a bike path that can get you to one of these areas?

In the end, the location of where you live needs to fit your lifestyle and the lifestyle of everyone in your family! If you have any questions about any neighborhoods in the MSP area or anything else related to real estate, give me a call!