Updated: July 29, 2020
If you are trying to find the right neighborhood to rent a home, we've created a helpful guide for both families and singles. In this article, we'll share tips on what to look for to find the right neighborhood for you.
Finding a good neighborhood is just as important as finding the perfect rental home for your family. The home itself must fit the needs and desires of your family, but the community where it’s located can play a much bigger role than you may think. When you’re looking for a new rental, look beyond the walls of the house itself to find the neighborhood where you can watch your family grow.
Whether you are first-time parents or you have children of all ages, picking the right neighborhood can provide the perfect surroundings for the ones you love most. Here are a few tips to help you find the best types of neighborhoods for your growing family.
It is a sad reality that crime can happen anywhere, in schools or churches or even in the best neighborhoods. Keep in mind, however, that just because it can, doesn’t mean it will. It is still important to choose a geographical location that will provide a greater reassurance that it won’t happen. It’s no secret that certain areas of town are more susceptible to criminal activity, making it important for you to choose wisely when you’re deciding where to settle down with your family.
Before you allow yourself to fall in love with a house, double-check the crime rates and reports of the area. You can find this information by simply searching crime statistics for your city and then looking for the neighborhood. Sites such as AreaVibes can give you some good insight, but you can also call the local police department for more reliable information.
Every family is different and varies with the features that are important for them. Some families have young, active children that benefit from being outside – in which case a neighborhood close to a park would be ideal. Other families have an infant that doesn’t sleep well – in which case a calm, quiet neighborhood is better. Some dream of growing their own food and hope for a home in a more rural community, while others need a grocery store as close as possible because they have a house full of hungry teenage boys.
Sit down together as a family to make a list of the features that would make a neighborhood special for your individual family. Things to think about could include:
The schools your children will attend can play an important role in helping you narrow down a neighborhood. As you research the area, take the time to research the schools as well. Many of the best schools are found in the most sought after neighborhoods and the two coincide for a reason. Whether you have a specific school in mind or you are happy sending your children to the school they’re zoned for, look into information such as class sizes, distance, or where they would go to school next (i.e. middle or high school).
To provide for your family, you have to go to work, making time at home all the more precious. When you’re looking for the perfect rental home, take the time to consider if the neighborhood is worth a longer commute. The more time it takes you to get to and from work, the less time you have to spend with your family at the end of the day.
Often times the best type of neighborhood isn’t dependent on location or landscaping, but on the people who will be your neighbors. Without living there already, it is hard to know what people will be like, but you can drive through or take a walk around the area to get a feel of who will live on your street.
Pay attention to signs of families with children who might be similar in age, such as a basketball hoop in the driveway or chalk drawings on the sidewalk. Look at the condition of the houses or yards. While not always true, a well-kept house could be a good indication of responsible neighbors. Observe people who might be out while you’re there and note their behavior or attitude towards you. Pay attention to the busyness of the street and how quickly cars drive through.
All these details can help you choose the right neighborhood to raise your children, but All Property Services can help you fill in the gaps or answer any questions. As a local property management company, we are invested in the communities across Northern Colorado and would be happy to help you as you look for the best area for your growing family.
It's not just families that we help to find the perfect neighborhood and rental home. Whatever your relationship status, we're here to help.
When you’re single, you have a unique flexibility in choosing where you want to live. You can look for a home for rent in Loveland, Fort Collins, or across Northern Colorado that will fit your lifestyle and your taste without having to take the needs or desires of anyone else into consideration. Regardless if you’re single and happy, single and looking for love, a single working professional, or a single parent, the perfect rental in the best neighborhood isn’t far.
To find the best place to live, whether you’re single or not, you have to take a number of factors into consideration. Choosing the perfect location goes beyond geographical area. To help you pick a neighborhood that fits your life, here are some things to look for.
Every person is different, which means that the best type of neighborhood for you will depend on what you enjoy and like. Take some time to think about what you would ideally like to have in the area where you live.
For example, if you are physically active, you may prefer a neighborhood close to running or bike trails or at a short distance from your gym. If you enjoy going out with your friends, you probably want to live in a neighborhood that is close to restaurants, bars, or shopping. If you love to be outdoors, you may look for rental homes close to a park, a green space, or more mature landscaping.
Make sure that you pick a community that aligns with your lifestyle, not one that stereotypically aligns with your relationship status.
Different neighborhoods have different vibes. You want to live in an area with characteristics that appeal to you so take the time to feel out the area. If you prefer a newer, more modern vibe, you might not want to look for homes in older neighborhoods. It’s also important for you to remember that there may be areas that offer the best of both worlds. For example, looking for rentals in the downtown vicinity, you will find neighborhoods that have a more industrial atmosphere, but you will also find streets lined with older, traditional homes. If you are unsure about the character of an area, you can ask your property manager. They will have a good understanding of the different communities across Northern Colorado and can help guide you to one that will fit the vibe you’re looking for.
They say location is everything and for many single adults, this is true. Location can impact your life in a number of ways, so be careful to choose a neighborhood that will help your quality of life not hurt it. If you’re a single working professional, you should consider how long your commute to work would be and whether a longer commute five days of the week is worth being closer to entertainment on the weekend. If you don’t own a car, you should look into the walk score of the area or the proximity of important amenities such as a nearby grocery store or how far you are from public transportation.
Whether you’re a single woman or single man, safety is one of the most important things to look for in a neighborhood. While there are many factors that play into finding a good location, make sure that you do not overlook your own safety and security. Do your best to avoid areas with a high number of property crime incidents or serious criminal activity. There are many ways to find out how safe a neighborhood is or what crime levels are by simply looking online.
The perfect neighborhood for you could be where you least expect it. You might find that the overly suburban-feeling area has a great community of people that are single, married, young, or old. Or you might find that the hustle and bustle of that home for rent in Loveland near downtown is more than you expected. It’s difficult to know what a neighborhood will be like if you don’t already live there, so don’t be afraid to talk to people who do. If you have friends in the area, ask their opinion. If you have family member that used to rent in the neighborhood, reach out and find out what they thought of it. Even if you don’t know anyone that lives there, don’t hesitate to talk to people about the areas you’re considering; they might know something you don’t or they could be the vote of confidence you needed to turn in an application.
Our team is here to help you find your next home. Feel free to call and schedule a showing or start your search right here.
