It’s a good idea to drive around the neighborhood and even park near the house you’re considering before making an offer. I know, it sounds a little creepy, but you may see things that give you food for thought. (Many are probably small potatoes, but everyone has their own pet peeves!)
Here are some things to consider as you evaluate your potential neighborhood:
The lack, prevalence or age of children
Do kids annoy you? Or are you hoping there will be other children for your little ones to play with? This could certainly affect your lifestyle or your future children’s happiness.
Driveway-related issues
There are a host of things that could pose a problem:
- Lots of parked cars? Could be an indication of additional drivers in the house (read: teenagers or college students), which might mean a lot of activity next door, maybe even loud parties. (Confession: I used to have 4 young adult drivers living under my roof who loved having friends over. I still feel bad for my former neighbors!) And don’t forget about motorcycles – they can be especially noisy.
- Does the house you’re considering have bedroom windows alongside the neighbor’s driveway? The coming and going of cars and people in the driveway could interfere with sleeping. You may want to sleep in on the weekend, but your neighbor may want to wash the car then.
- Is there a basketball hoop on the garage? You may have to get used the sound of pounding basketballs early in the morning, at night or other key times during the day – like when your child is napping
Neighborhood pets
I love dogs, but some have incredibly annoying barks, like my sister’s little yip-yap dog or my former neighbor’s basset hound, Brandy. It isn’t always easy to determine if you’d be dealing with a considerate neighbor who brings their dog in when the barking starts or one who ignores it – which is why I suggest parking nearby for a while to check on the timing.
Public areas near the house
Depending on the makeup of your family and your interests, certain public spaces may be convenient to have close by. But they can also pose issues during certain times of the day or year.
- Parks: Possibility for soccer, baseball or football practices after school with loud whistles and yelling from the coaches, plus traffic jams from parents dropping off and picking up kids. (I am living with this now. I enjoy the activity but understand why my neighbor doesn’t.)
- Schools: Great to have nearby if you have (or will have children) that attend! In terms of noise, evenings and summers may be nice and quiet, but look out for the buses and cars in the morning when school is in session and you’re trying to drive to work.
- Bars and restaurants: It’s great when they’re close enough to walk to, but if they're really popular and generate crowds, their proximity to your home may not be so popular with you.
- Grocery stores and gas stations: Take the time to consider the location of establishments you use frequently and how inconvenient it could be if they're far away.
- Trains and planes: While the whistle and sound of a train can be charming, the inconvenience may not be. Train tracks close to your home can frequently delay you as you wait for a train to pass, or you could suffer from sleeplessness due to the noise in the middle of the night. If there’s an airport nearby, your home could be in the flight path. Spending some time in the neighborhood will let you know what to expect.
Condition of neighborhood homes and yards
Glance around the neighborhood to see how residents handle upkeep. Can you live with the sight of a couple unkempt houses or yards full of weeds? Would you prefer to live in a gardening community? Is the neighborhood governed by an HOA that may have restrictive curb appeal guidelines?
