How do you find a neighborhood? What are the first steps?

How did you go about finding areas??

We want to buy a house, but we are buying with my mother. My dh is a local 3 electrician so its his job that is the biggest consideration with the commute into the city. How did you go about finding areas? We probably will not move to the island (where I know most areas) we are thinking more upstate. I go on realtor.com but all it shows is how we cant afford whats out there. How do you find neighborhoods? How do you know what neighborhoods have good school districts? Do you just ask around or drive around looking? I have no idea where to start since we have no idea where to go! How did you get started?

Re: How do you find a neighborhood? What are the first steps?

We started by looking at the commute. Since that seems to be a top concern for you as well, I would start researching public transportation to the city. If you are considering upstate - Metronorth, NJ - NJ Transit. Then I would determine towns that are close enough for you to consider. The more you can narrow it down, the better.

Realtor.com is a good start so if you see houses that might be desirable, in your price range, take a drive and see what the neighborhood is like.

There are websites to research the school district, and local realtors can probably provide a wealth of information on the community.

Hope that helps!

Re: How do you find a neighborhood? What are the first steps?

You can also look at the Newsday School Report card. Where are you thinking? LI? What county, what do you think you can afford

Re: How do you find a neighborhood? What are the first steps?

The issues I'd look at are:

Commute- especially if it's a permanent job like a union job.

Affordability

School District- if one plans on having kids

Other things to include depending upon the person...

healthcare, access to hospitals
shopping
recreational activities
close to colleges/universities
proximity to parkways, etc.

I say healthcare because we have a family member who wants to relocate to NC but their son was the first successful recipient of a double lung transplant many years ago. He needs to be near a major university medical center. So there are other variables to think about depending upon the situation.

Good lucck.

Re: How do you find a neighborhood? What are the first steps?

You can go on to greatschools.net to research school districts and test scores

It's a great resource. Just one tip, when you are looking at the test scores, make sure you look at what the state average is. They vary by test, and grade.

Re: How do you find a neighborhood? What are the first steps?

Everything that people listed were the top considerations had when we were looking for a home. I would also suggest that once you narrow down your choices based on that criteria, that you take a drive and really check out the areas that you are considering. I walked through shopping areas, supermarkets, banks and looked at the areas surrounding the schools. When we would look at a house, we would go back on our own and drive around the neighborhood to get a feel.

Good Luck!