Now that you’re considering home ownership, one of the most vital factors to consider is the community in which you’ll spend a big chunk of your life if not most of it. Let’s pretend to be neighbor detectives and figure out what you’re looking for in a perfect neighborhood.

Profile your desired neighborhood. Say you are interested in the house and land packages in Melbourne, your first step would be deciding what you’re really looking for in that particular neighborhood. You might make some compromises, so begin by putting “must haves” and “would like to have” on your checklist.

Check the commute. What’s your choice of transportation? Do you want to drive, walk, bike, or take mass transit to work? Do you own a car or planning to get one?

Do you have children or considering to have children soon? As a parent, the first thing you should do when looking at a community is to research the educational facilities in the area. And even if you’re single, living in an area with a good school system will raise its property value.

Do you want to be in a new development or a historic neighborhood? Choosing newer development means more modern features, but are usually far from the city center. Historic neighborhoods have tons of character, but may require lots of repair work and are governed by community associations with strict standards.

Close walking proximity. I personally like to be within walking distance from convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and other shops. Is this you? Then perhaps you should look for homes that are near such “necessities.”

Think about what you don’t like. If you hate late-night noise and locations that are near bars and nightclubs, you’ll probably want to steer clear of the university area or an area with a lively scene.

Other vital considerations. If you’ve already closed in on an area, it’s time to start digging up information. Look for interesting information about the neighbourhood online, whether it be the local government’s website or community forums in social media.

• Look into the local public or private elementary, junior and high schools and daycare programs.

• Many real estate sites show statistics that show the zip code’s crime rates. If you want specifics, call the local police station.

• Look for associations. This social community serves to better and assists in many projects and essential events.

What do you lack in your current neighbourhood? Chances are one of the reasons you’re leaving your current neighborhood because the things you like aren’t in there. If you are landlocked, for instance, but always wanted to live on the waterfront, put that on your priority list. If you are crazy about coffee, having a café down the street may be an instant selling value.

End Note

That’s it. Remember, there is no perfect neighborhood, but you can definitely choose one that you’ll love despite any flaw you might see.

If you’re in Australia, the house and land packages in Melbourne along with its four thriving Melbourne communities, Atherstone, Harpley, Mayfield or Aurora is a good place to start looking for great homes in an equally great neighborhood.