Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home.

Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of all the activities you engage in regularly and places you visit most frequently. Include work, schools, and church etc. Use Google Maps to see how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engage in your most common activities.

Check out the school district. This is especially important if you have children, but it also can affect the future resale value in some instances. The Department of Education can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, visit the schools in the neighborhoods you're considering moving to.

Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type such as burglaries or armed robberies. Are crimes increasing or decreasing in the neighborhood? Lastly, are the committed crimes centered only in one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. They will also have any proposed development plans for the area. What's the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don't necessarily diminish value, but do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

See if you'll make money. Ask your Realtor about price appreciation in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good of an investment your home will be.

Make personal observations. Once you've narrowed your focus down to no more than two or three neighborhoods, go there and walk the neighborhood. Are the homes tidy and well maintained? Are the streets quiet? How does it feel? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with as many neighbors as possible. Ask questions.

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