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When trying to find the right neighborhood in San Diego, you need to follow a few simple tips to learn more about the communities you are exploring. First, determine your priorities for your new neighborhood.  Are schools at the top of your list?  Is your commute time a consideration?  However, if your priorities include finding a friendly area that allows easy access to get around and enjoy your local area and value stability, then do your due diligence with these 8 tips to finding the right neighborhood for your new home!

1. Look at Walkability Scores

The first consideration is whether you can walk in the area or is a car a necessity?  The best neighborhoods to meet your goals will have a high walkability score on real estate websites. Take your time to look at options before you make your final decision.

2. Do a Drive Through

Take time to drive through the neighborhoods you are considering. Examine the condition of sidewalks and roads first. Are they are well-maintained and clean? Drive through the area at different times of the day, evening and night.

3. Talk to Locals

Take a moment to talk to others in the neighborhood.  Conversation with locals is a good way to determine if the area is appropriate for your personal goals.

4. Pricing Predictability

One of the most effective measures for forecasting whether a home will retain value over the long-term is gauging how it has performed during past cycles. It may be impossible to anticipate macroeconomic ups and downs, but a look at historical sale prices for comparable properties can offer a sense of how well an area will weather a volatile market.

5. Rate of home ownership

Another helpful metric is the percentage of owner-occupied homes in a neighborhood. Research tells us that primary residents are more likely than renters to spend money upgrading properties over time. These improvements create added value for a community while fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among neighbors.

6. Safety

Higher degrees of home ownership also result in safer communities, as residents become more invested in their neighborhood’s security and quality of life. Academic research has found a direct link between residential districts with above-average rates of homeownership and lower-than-average crime rates.

7. Historical Context

A community’s appreciation for the past can offer a window into the future. Longtime residents and businesses in a neighborhood tend to feel a sense of custodianship and take pride in preserving the character of their surroundings. Engaging in conversation with your potential neighbors before buying is often a valuable use of time when getting to know the area.

8. Activities and Amenities

Whether you’re a family with young children, a retired couple or a single bachelor, local amenities are important to where you live. Make sure your new neighborhood has everything you’re looking for to suit your lifestyle. Families with children might be interested in swim/tennis communities with parks, as well as libraries, and ballet and karate studios nearby.

Before you start looking for a home, take the time to consider several neighborhoods. To learn more about finding the right area to live in San Diego, contact the Jenn Blake Real Estate Group at 858.663.6788!