Not sure which neighborhood is right for you? It starts with what you can afford and how you want to live. Here's what to think about before you start looking.
If you’re thinking about buying a home in the Phoenix Metro area but aren’t sure which neighborhood you want to be in, let me walk you through how to figure it out. This is something I talk about with buyers all the time, and it usually comes down to a few key factors.
Your price range comes first. This is the biggest one. Your price range will determine which neighborhoods are even on the table for you, so the very first step is gettingpre-qualified with a lender. You need to know what you can afford as adown payment, what your full purchase price looks like, and what your monthly payment will be. Once you know those numbers, your neighborhood options become a lot clearer.
Lifestyle and commute matter more than people think. After you know your budget, the next question is how you want to live. Some buyers don’t care about lifestyle. They just want to get as much home, meaning square footage and land, as they possibly can.
“Your price range determines where you can look. Everything else builds from there.”
If that’s you, your search is going to look very different from someone who cares about being close to their favorite restaurants, bars, and daily routine. Where do your kids go to school? How long is your drive to work? A lot of people don’t want to spend 30 to 45 minutes each way commuting, but if you’re open to that, your options open up significantly.
One thing I always tell buyers: drive through the neighborhood at different times of day and test your commute during rush hour before you commit. It tells you more than any listing ever will.
Your family situation shapes the search. If you’re single, you might want to live in a completely different area than someone with a family or who’s thinking about starting one. Generally speaking, you want to be around like-minded people. If you have three kids, you probably don’t want to live in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. If you have no kids and you’re younger, you probably don’t want to be in a neighborhood that’s 95% families. It’s something worth keeping in mind when house hunting, because the right neighborhood isn’t just about the house. It’s about whether the area fits your life.
If you have any questions about neighborhoods in the Phoenix Metro or you want help figuring out which area makes sense for you, reach out. I’m always available. Call or text me at (602) 501-9352 or email me at sam@thebrokery.com. You can also visit blog.samlevyrealestate.com for more. I’d love to help you find the right fit.
