What Do You Want in a Neighborhood?

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, the surrounding neighborhood of that home is a major factor to take into consideration. If you’re buying, you’ll research tons of neighborhoods to look for what the amenities and surrounding areas look like, and you’ll make a decision based on what you want for you and your family. If you’re selling, you’ll want to make it a point to detail every aspect of the neighborhood your home resides in, for even the smallest aspects of the neighborhood can be major selling points. In this blog, we’ll be talking about some of the most common amenities and their benefits so you know what to look for or share if your buying or selling a home.

Parks

If you have children, a neighborhood with a park nearby is extremely desirable. Parks can come in all shapes and sizes, but no matter what your child’s age, any type is great to have in walking distance. If you have younger kids, a park with playground equipment and an open space to run around will entertain them for hours. If your kids are older, parks that have basketball courts and a field will give even the homebodies something fun to do outside. But you don’t have to have children to want to be near a park! Lots of parks these days accommodate for adults; whether there’s a walking trail or just a simple picnic table, you’ll be able to benefit from all parks have to offer, too.

Downtown Proximity

A number of benefits come from living in a neighborhood in walking distance to your city’s downtown area. For one, if you work downtown, you’ll most likely have access to all public transportation options to get there, which is great for the environment and can save you gas money. Another huge benefit is simply being able to walk to any events and shops that may happen downtown; walking is a great everyday activity, and having things to do nearby without being too far from home is always a plus.

Golf

This one is simple: If you’re a big fan (and player!) of the sport, imagine how great it’d be to have a golf course in your neighborhood! Golf is a widely popular recreational sport here in Florida, so having a golf course in the area is a major selling point and benefit to buyers.

Retail Necessities

Whether it’s a large store like Target or a local bodega, having a place to go get necessities nearby is a huge bonus. An article by Mental Floss highlights the benefits of this amenity the best- “Think about what you buy on a regular basis. Do you get coffee every single morning? Do you find yourself coming home and thinking, ‘Whoops, I forgot to grab a gallon of milk!’ twice a week? Be aware of your retail needs (even if, say, you really don’t think you should buy coffee every day) and check out what your new neighborhood has to offer.”

Schools

Living in a neighborhood that’s zoned for a great school district is a great perk- even if you don’t have any school-aged children. The obvious benefit of being zoned for top-rated schools is that your kids will have access to a great education that’s close to home. If you don’t have children, living in a top-rated school district most likely means your neighborhood will be safe and family-friendly, and if you’re deciding to sell your home, being zoned for a great school can increase your property value tremendously.