Did you know that your five sense are your greatest ally when it comes to selecting the perfect neighborhood? The reality is that using your five senses is the best way to help you determine if the neighborhood is a good fit for you and your lifestyle. To that end, here is a look at how you can put your five senses to use in order to choose the neighborhood that is right for you.
Sight
Clearly, using your sense of sight is a great way to create an impression of neighborhood. As you walk through the neighborhood, be sure to take note of whether or not the homes are well-maintained and have curb appeal. You should also take a look at the shops and restaurants as well as the overall “feel” of the neighborhood. Even if you don’t have children, it is also a good idea to visit the schools, as the quality of the schools will have a significant impact on the value of your property in the future. Similarly, you should look for warning signs that the neighborhood is facing a downward turn, such as abandoned buildings, vandalism or an excessive number of “For Sale” signs throughout the neighborhood.
As you take in the sights of the neighborhood, you should attempt to visualize yourself in the neighborhood. Consider your daily routine and think about whether or not the features of the neighborhood fit in with that routine. In order to better make this determination, you should visit the neighborhood at different times of the day. This way, you can observe how the traffic flows while also getting a better idea of how the people within the neighborhood interact with each other throughout the day.
Sounds
The sounds within the neighborhood are also important to consider. As you walk through the neighborhood, do you hear the peaceful sounds of birds and nature or do you hear airports, highways and trains? Consider these sounds and whether or not you are willing to listen to them every morning and throughout the night.
You can also take advantage of your sense of hearing by talking to the people who live in the neighborhood. In addition to finding out more about what might be undesirable about the neighborhood, you should also ask the residents to tell you about the places they like to hang out and other pleasant aspects of the neighborhood. Of course, by talking to the neighborhood’s residents, you can also get a better idea whether or not they will make good neighbors.
Smells
Clearly, you will not want to live in a neighborhood that is filled with unpleasant smells. Therefore, as you walk through the neighborhood, be sure to take plenty of big whiffs in order to determine if there are any bad odors that might be common to the neighborhood.
Tastes
Finally, you will also want to get a taste of the neighborhood. In other words, if there are any restaurants located within or near to the neighborhood, give them a try. You just might find a new favorite restaurant that would be great to live next to!
Jim Olenbush is the owner of an Austin real estate brokerage. http://www.jimolenbush.com/ He manages a team of experienced Austin Realtors and they specialize in luxury real estate sales.
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