Here’s how to find the right neighborhood to build in.
When you start your journey to find the right neighborhood to build in, you realize it’s just as important as the home itself. Home extends beyond the walls, and the environment you spend the most time in has a significant impact on your overall wellbeing. There are a few things to consider when you’re in search of a good neighborhood.
1.) Safety
Everyone cares about safety. Fortunately, there are many tools and websites to learn about crime statistics such as AreaVibes and Family Watchdog. You should also visit the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) to check if any sex offenders live in the area you’re interested in.
Citizen is a free mobile app that anyone can join to get the latest reports near any city. It also gives neighbors the ability to interact, ask questions and share info about any type of incident. If everything seems reasonable on paper, you can see how it feels yourself by driving around. Keep your eyes peeled for Neighborhood Watch signs and children playing because these are positive signs.
2.) Noise
Noise level is not something to overlook, especially if you wake up early or have young kids. It could even be vice versa where you play an instrument or enjoy outside gatherings, and you don’t want to disturb your neighbors. At least one thing everyone can agree on is they like a quiet workspace.
You have two options here. You can talk to future neighbors about noise levels and they might tell you what you want to hear. If they tell you otherwise but you found the perfect location, you can build your home with ICF. It’s a superior type of construction with many benefits beyond sound proofing alone.
Once you find the right neighborhood to build in, you’ll need a builder. Keep in mind that many builders do not work with ICF, nor do they have the expertise to install this type of engineering properly. GreenBlock specializes in ICF construction and you can learn more here.
3.) Talk to people
You can do this without even getting in your car. Go on Nextdoor and see what people are saying. Tell people you’re considering buying a lot in the area and ask questions about what you would like to know. You’ll find people are often very neighborly and enjoy helping out. Don’t be surprised if people reach out with helpful advice without even having to ask for it.
Ask people what their first impression of the community was when they were trying to find the right neighborhood to build their home. You can talk about specific interests or causes you care about. Are you interested in art, outreach, business networking or general community events? Learn how you can get involved.
4.) Amenities
Imagine what you see yourself doing on your days off. Would you like to be near beaches or hiking trails? Maybe you have fitness goals and want to be near a good gym or a golf course. Where do you and your partner like to go during date nights? Does the local history mean something to you?
If you’re interested in a new hobby or curious about getting involved in the community, do a quick Google search to see what sort of events, volunteer groups and social clubs come up.
5.) Go for a walk.
It’s unofficially referred to as the “walk test.” It’s just an excuse to get outside and explore the area. It’s also not a bad way to meet your neighbors before they become your neighbors.
GreenBlock currently has properties you may be interested in under construction in South Gulf Cove, which is filled with many amenities and close to multiple beaches ranked by TripAdvisor. See why this might be the right neighborhood for you to build in.
We'll help you find the right neighborhood to build your dream home.
Hopefully this inspires you in your search to find the right neighborhood to build your home. Even if you’re still looking for a lot, you can still inquire about floor plans and ICF construction to get started faster. Contact us today.
