When finding a home to rent or purchase, the type of neighborhood it is located in should be considered almost as important as the features and characteristics of the home itself. There are a number of signs to look for, and issues which should be inquired about so as to recognize potential problems (before it is too late) and have the best chance of success in finding a perfect neighborhood.

While visiting the home with a realtor and/or owner, be sure to pay attention to sights and sounds of its neighborhood at the same time as you look around the home; consider bringing a pad of paper to write notes on. Take note of how much traffic noise can be heard, keeping in mind that it will be louder if the windows are open, and listen for any dogs barking or loud music. If there is any question about this, ask if the municipality provides services like garbage pick-up and/or snow removal. If garbage pick-up isn’t provided, finding out the location of the nearest dump or transfer station is relevant; these are sometimes distant in rural areas.

Drive or walk up and down the street, paying attention to other buildings and infrastructure. Notice if the road surface is in perfect condition, whether or not there are abandoned buildings, if there is much graffiti, and how much traffic there is. Watch for “Beware of Dog” signs or dog houses. Check how far away the nearest fire hydrant is. Finding a neighborhood with a park nearby is beneficial, especially if children and/or pets are to live in the home. If you don’t own a vehicle, make sure there are sufficient sidewalks or road shoulder areas to the nearest area with stores.

The city or town the neighborhood is located in should also be carefully considered. Determine how far away the nearest police and fire stations are, as well as schools (if relevant) and medical facilities. Finding local crime statistics is possible at the Department of Justice website, under “Crime & Justice Data Online.” Determine if there is any public transportation or a taxi service available. Some kinds of factories located in the city or a neighboring town, such as paper mills, may produce odors during parts of the day or week but not others. Also, consider finding out if there are any nearby airports or railroads.

Keeping all of these factors in mind should help you achieve success in finding the perfect neighborhood and prevent you from overlooking possible problems with the area. Many of these issues are not enough to prevent you from living in a particular neighborhood, but realizing several small problems may change your mind. In addition, other factors specific to your preferences and interests (whether it be the availability of pizza delivery or the distance to the nearest post office) can affect how perfect a neighborhood should be considered for you.