When looking for a new home, you must take into consideration the community in which it resides. The community you’ll potentially live in is just as important as the home you fall in love with. Your dream home could end up more of a nightmare if you aren’t happy with where its located. Read on to learn the top 5 features to look for in the ideal community.

Lifestyle Match

Your lifestyle should be the number one indicator if a neighborhood is a good fit for you. If you have a family, you might be well-suited to a suburban neighborhood with family-focused amenities and proximity to great schools. Such an atmosphere might not be as attractive to a young single professional or an adventurous, childless couple. Such folks might be better suited to a nice city condo downtown in a happening neighborhood. You also need to look at factors such as what’s nearby. Are there shops and restaurants you’d like to frequent that are within walking distance or just a short drive away? All of these things should be taken into consideration.

Low Crime Rate

Low crime rates are very important when looking for a new neighborhood. Low crime rates within any given neighborhood provide a sense of security and ease. Since safety is always a concern, crime is a quick way to tell if a neighborhood is improving or not. You can usually spot a transitional and improving neighborhood by the improvement or decline in its crime rates.

Good Schools

For families with children, quality schools top their list of what makes a great neighborhood. Not only are great schools important for families with children, they also make the surrounding neighborhoods more valuable and more sought after, keeping property values strong. Most real estate apps offer data on the area schools, and you can always check on Great Schools to see the ratings of the schools in your desired neighborhood.

Pride in Ownership

Take a look at the other homes in the neighborhood you’re looking to join. Are the homes well-kempt? Mowed lawns, pretty landscaping, and houses lovingly maintained with good curb appeal? All great neighborhoods have this in common. Pride in ownership is obvious when the residents of the community maintain their homes and care about their neighborhood. 

Excellent Amenities

Being within walking distance of excellent amenities such as a swimming pool and fitness center can keep you happy about your home. Proximity and access to outdoorsy things like golf courses, tennis courts and hiking or biking trails are also qualities that keep your community sought-after.

If you’re looking to move into the community of your dreams, look no further than Summer Lake! Summer Lake is an imaginative community of the finest new homes offering residents all the exciting advantages of modern living while maintaining the warm, genteel atmosphere associated with a hometown lifestyle. The community is architecturally rich with distinctive new homes with custom standards for inspired luxury living. Summer Lake is conveniently located in Chesterfield County, with access to some of the best schools in the region. Visit our new Model Court, where you can tour three brand new furnished model homes from three of Richmond’s best builders or contact us for more information!