Finding the Best Neighborhood
When shopping for a new home for your family there’s more to consider than property logistics alone. Location is everything, which means finding the best neighborhood for your family may be more difficult than finding the right home to buy. Even after researching all the local schools and crime rates, checking on potential homes in the area and making note of conscientious neighbors, there’s still one major question that’s left to be answered about your potentially great new neighborhood. To really love where you live, you need specific amenities, but which ones? Here’s a list of some of the most popular amenities to consider when searching for your perfect neighborhood.
Ingredients of a Great Neighborhood
1. Parks – Living near a lush, green park with plenty of field space and a place for your kids to play is a huge win. Having a good local park where your family can socialize and grow has major benefits for both you and your kids. Bonus points if the park has hiking trails where you and your family can stay active together while enjoying nature. Within this same category is the importance of a dog park, for dog owners. Having a dog park nearby to give your dog a place to run off pent up energy and meet other dogs is a great way to keep your home and yard intact.
2. Stores and Restaurants – Having a grocery store nearby is a must for just about everyone. But other local stores or shopping centers are equally important. One good indication that you’re in a growing neighborhood is any new shopping centers or store openings. Also, make sure to see what the local restaurant scene is like. Nothing beats having a good, affordable restaurant around the corner that you and the family can escape to on nights when no one wants to cook or order pizza, again.
3. Mature Trees and Nature – If you’re looking for some serenity and shade in the summer, large trees and lush landscaping can help. While this means shifting focus to a more established neighborhood, it brings the benefit of peace and quiet. If you’re truly looking for an escape from city life, then this scenery is exactly what you’re looking for.
4. Local Library – In an ever-increasing digital age, the local library is still a highly desired neighborhood amenity. Most libraries provide free or low-cost programs for kids and offer a digital library of affordable movie rentals for family nights in. Libraries are a great place for a morning with the kids, an afternoon of book reading or browsing and maybe a late-night study session for your teenager.
A Guaranteed Great Neighborhood: Ladera Ranch
Ladera Ranch is an award-winning, master-planned community featuring self-contained schools, a public library, local shopping, restaurants and other neighborhood amenities. The neighborhood boasts peaceful, serene living that is unparalleled in other parts of South Orange County. With miles of running and biking trails that complement the nine villages, there’s a place for everyone who seeks the balance between nature and neighborly, to call home.
Are you ready to call this great neighborhood home? With more than 18 years of real estate experience in the Ladera Ranch community, I can help you find the home where lasting memories will be made. Contact me today to begin exploring homes available now.