Moving to a new area can be intimidating and choosing the right area to make a major financial purchase like a house can be even more so. Before committing to a new home, it is crucial to take the time to evaluate your options for location and make the right decision for your family. Whether you are considering purchasing one of the Virginia Beach condos or Chesapeake luxury homes, follow these steps to find the right neighborhood for you.
SET YOUR GOALS
The first step is to take note of why you are buying the house. If it is your family’s primary home, you may want to live in a quieter neighborhood, close to work, or near a good school. If you want a Chesapeake waterfront property to use as a vacation home, that will highly influence your search. Those looking for an investment property have different needs entirely and will be best served in central neighborhoods like Riverwalk or the family-friendly townhomes of Great Bridge.
DESCRIBE YOUR LIFESTYLE
You can’t find your perfect neighborhood if you do not know what you are looking for. Make a list of what you want your life to look like. Do you want a lively, family-friendly neighborhood or a quiet and more rural property where you can enjoy nature? Maybe you want to be close to shopping or on the edge of town so you can easily reach hiking trails. List every detail you can think of, and sort them by importance. Make sure to also consider what other family members want or need.
RESEARCH CHESAPEAKE NEIGHBORHOODS
Once you have a clear idea of what you want, take to the internet. Use sites like Livability, AreaVibes, and Niche to research the neighborhoods you are considering, the proximity to amenities and activities, the local Chesapeake schools, and other key information. Parents can research the best schools in the area to ensure that they look at homes close to a more highly rated institution, and pet owners can look up veterinarians and dog parks to ensure that they can properly care for their pets in the area.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the architectural styles of different neighborhoods. While one neighborhood may favor classic and ornate Victorian-style homes, if you prefer an open floor plan, you may want to go to a place that has Mid Century Modern buildings. You can also research general price points so that you know if a neighborhood is within your price range.
TAKE A VISIT
If possible, visit Chesapeake and wander around. Take note of places you are likely to find yourself on a frequent basis — restaurants, activities, schools, and grocery stores — and find out their proximity to the neighborhoods you are considering. You can also learn more about the town, see what different areas are like, and gain insight into the lifestyle in the area.
DRIVE
Take the time to drive to and from work during your normal commuting hours. Sometimes the route to one neighborhood will be overwhelmed with traffic, while a different neighborhood provides a much easier experience, so this test can have a huge impact on where you choose to buy. You may also want to test the commute to schools in the area, again during normal times, as they tend to be another source of traffic.
MEET PEOPLE
When you have narrowed your list down to just a few options, visit each neighborhood and meet some of your potential neighbors. The current residents can provide great insight into what life in the area is like — the good, the bad, which restaurant is best, and where to enjoy a day off with family. You will get a general feel for day-to-day life alongside these people and can decide if you would be happy in the area. You will also have the chance to see if people with similar interests live in that neighborhood. Are there joggers running down the street? Are little kids playing in the yard? Do you see a group of dog owners heading to the park for some off-leash fun? If you happen to see other people participating in interests you enjoy, you can rest assured your favorite pastimes are easily accessible when you live there.
CONSIDER RENTING
If you want to go the extra mile before you buy, consider finding a rental for a few months or a year in an area you are considering. While it may be a bit more of an expense, renting gives you the chance to really experience the local lifestyle, or explore other local areas that may be better suited to what you are looking for.
Finding the right Chesapeake neighborhood is a little easier when you hire an experienced realtor like Brandon Carney, who has extensive knowledge of the coastal Virginia area. He can guide you through the entire purchasing process, from helping you to find the right neighborhood, placing an offer on the perfect piece of Chesapeake real estate, and closing the deal, all while solving any problems that arise along the way. Avoid some of the stress of purchasing in an unfamiliar area by hiring a real estate agent who can provide you with local insight and advice, from the best schools to the best seafood restaurant to the best neighborhoods for your dream life.
