Many times, prospective homeowners get caught up in finding the perfect floor plan and forget to consider the neighborhood in which the home is located. Turns out, the neighborhood may be just as important as the home itself, but how do you choose the right one?
Do you enjoy casual neighborhoods with a lot of children, or are you retired and would like to surround yourself with homeowners that share in your lifestyle?
Does the neighborhood have easy access to parks, walking trails, or other desired amenities?
How close is the neighborhood to your favorite restaurants, museums, or shopping destinations?
These are just some of the questions that can be easily answered to make a world of difference when it comes to finding your dream home in a perfect-for-you neighborhood, but there are many more things to consider when determining the right fit.
Getting Started
The first thing you need to do is make a list of must-haves and would-like-to-haves to determine where your neighborhood priorities lie. This list should encompass everything from the type of home you seek, such as a condo, villa, or single family home, that fits within your budget to the type and number of amenities the neighborhood has. You may be happy with a short list of amenities as long as it includes your favorites or you may need a growing list of amenities to make sure you have something different to do every day. Either way, you need amenities that will support your interests and hobbies. A good way to assemble this list is to include items that your current community is lacking. Write down everything to ensure they are included in your new neighborhood.
What’s Around?
Once you’ve determined the things you would like your perfect neighborhood to have, begin to think about the places you will go that are outside of your neighborhood. If you are a frequent traveler, a neighborhood with easy access to an airport may top your list. If you enjoy the arts, a neighborhood close to a thriving arts community may be just the ticket. Another thing to consider is the proximity to your job. That daily commute, if lengthy, will begin to take its toll.
Some things to consider:
- Businesses
- Shopping
- Dining
- Art Galleries
- Museums
- Parks
- Pools
- Tennis Courts
- Nature Areas
Narrow Down Your Needs to One Area
Once you have established your priorities and determined the types of places to which you would like to be near, choose the real estate areas that best suit your needs. Then, determine the top neighborhoods by listing the pros and cons of each to narrow down your choices.
After that task is complete, consider the crime statistics, school ratings, tourist attractions, and other area-specific statistics necessary to make your decision. This should leave you with a small number of neighborhoods that fit the bill.
Take a Trip
Now that you have a small list of neighborhoods that look good on paper, it’s time to move away from the digital world and hit the pavement. Visit your top neighborhood choices to see them for yourself. Most communities have sales executives that will give you a tour of the community so you can get a feel for each and every one. During that tour, envision yourself living there. Is the neighborhood as beautiful as you thought? Are the amenities as described? Do the residents seem to share in your lifestyle? Ask if you can speak to a couple of residents to get their opinion on the community. Sometimes, that is the best way to determine if it is the right fit.
The Time to Make a Choice Has Come
After you have gathered all of the information on each of your top neighborhood choices, it’s time to weigh your options and make a decision. At this point, it should be easy to determine what your ideal neighborhood is, but feel free to go over all the information again and weigh the pros and cons to make your decision.
Once you choose your perfect neighborhood, it’s time to determine the best luxury custom home for you. Stay tuned for our next blog: How to Choose Your Perfect Home. In the meantime, let’s get you started on your neighborhood hunt with some of London Bay Homes’ award-winning communities.
Communities in Naples, FL
Mediterra
Mediterra is an award-winning luxury golf and beach community in North Naples with no more than 950 condos, villas, and single-family homes within its 1,697 acres. Miles of walking and bicycling paths connect neighborhoods and parks, while members enjoy 36 holes of Tom Fazio-designed golf, a private Beach Club on the Gulf of Mexico, a Sports Club with a full calendar of fitness activities, tennis, and fine and casual dining at its elegant Clubhouse. The Clubhouse employs a full professional staff that keeps everyone entertained with a regular schedule of unique activities.
Estuary at Grey Oaks
The Estuary at Grey Oaks is located in central Naples and features luxury single-family homes and a golf focus with three championship golf courses and an 18-hole putting course. The 62,000-square-foot main clubhouse and the separate Estuary Clubhouse offer five separate dining experiences, as well as more than 5,500 square feet of fitness facilities with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, extensive personal training services, eight lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, and a lagoon-style swimming pool with the Patio Café.
Quail West
Quail West is a 1,180-acre luxury golf community located in North Naples that features luxury single-family homes surrounding 36-holes of Arthur Hill-designed golf. Its backdrop consists of sparkling lakes and nature preserves, as well as a 70,000 square-foot Clubhouse with a golf pro shop, full service salon and spa, card rooms, eight red-clay tennis courts, and an indoor lagoon-style Junior Olympic-sized pool.
Portofino at Miromar Lakes
Portofino is a luxury villa and single-family home neighborhood located in the Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club in Estero, FL (just north of Naples). This residential waterfront resort community features more than 700 acres of contiguous aquamarine freshwater lakes, three miles of private, white sandy beach and “signature” championship golf, surrounded by . Miromar Lakes offers endless opportunities for in-lake swimming, boating, sailing, water-skiing and fishing.
Communities in Sarasota, FL
The Founders Club
The Founders Club is a boutique-style new home community including just 262 home sites. You can choose between comfortable Golf Cottages, dramatic Fairway homes, or luxurious Estate Homes, all on expansive home sites with golf, lake, or preserve views. The Founders Club offers a signature Robert Trent Jones, Jr. golf course, two Har-Tru tennis courts, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and a picnic pavilion. Fitness and wellness classes, educational and instructional programs, and social gatherings are coordinated by a professional staff.
Spice Bay on Siesta Key
Spice Bay is an intimate, luxury gated community located on beautiful Sarasota Bay in Siesta Key. It features just 14 home sites with West-Indies style Estate homes surrounded by majestic oaks, lush native palms, and tropical plants. It is conveniently located just moments away from the award-winning Siesta Key Beach.
Matera at The Lake Club
Matera is a villa community located within The Lake Club in Lakewood Ranch. It features 35 maintenance-free home sites with dramatic lake views. The luxury community includes scenic lakes, decorative bridges, a unique one-mile long park, and a Grande Clubhouse with day spa and concierge services.
