Almost as important as the house we live in is the neighborhood in which it resides. You can build the house of your dreams, but if you feel unsafe, uninspired or otherwise unhappy when you walk outside, it’s tough to feel at home.

There are a lot of great neighborhoods to choose from for a Dallas home, but because they’re always evolving, it’s prudent to consider what the neighborhood will look like in the coming years. Here are some signs that your neighborhood will mature gracefully.

Neighborhood Maintenance

If you live in a well-established neighborhood, it’s pretty easy to take in its overall maintenance without much more than a thoughtful glance. If it’s been around for a long time and the streets are clean, the lawns manicured and the neighbors have lived there for years, it’s likely the neighborhood will age well.

With a new home in a new Dallas neighborhood, however, it’s more difficult to discern how the neighborhood will look in the future. It’s a good idea to reach out to other neighbors in the community to find out more about their backgrounds and whether you glean a sense of ownership pride. Apps like Nextdoor, which is a private social networking app for neighbors, is a great way to connect with your community and gain insight into the neighborhood.

Community

Speaking of reaching out to neighbors, there’s no surer sign that your neighborhood is on a healthy long-term track than if there’s a pervasive sense of community. A strong community identity lends itself to neighborhood pride, which will serve to protect and preserve the surrounding area.

The more neighbors connect with one another, the faster neighborhood problems are solved and improvements are made. A strong community also brings with it a certain level of responsibility and accountability among its members, helping to ensure that neighbors are taking care of themselves and each other.

Property Values

When evaluating your neighborhood, you will want to consider the implications of the property values. The real estate market might seem as though it changes with the wind, but in most neighborhoods you can determine whether the long-term value is headed up or down.

A great way to figure this out, beyond looking at hard numbers, is to ask around. What is the housing turnover rate? Do homeowners tend to stay for years, or are there new people moving in all the time? Answers to these simple questions will tell you a lot about a neighborhood’s longevity.

[You might find our article on The True Value of a Residential Remodel a valuable resource.]

Public Schools

Not only are public schools an important consideration if you have children, but they say a lot about the surrounding neighborhood. If the school district your neighborhood is in has a positive reputation, you can bet the area will retain its value.

New families with concerned parents will always gravitate toward high-quality public schools, helping to ensure the long-term residential value.

Consider Yourself

The items above are general indicators of your neighborhood’s future, but you’ll also want to consider your own unique lifestyle.

If a night on the town isn’t exactly your cup of tea, you might pay the closest attention to the surrounding grocery stores, hospitals and parks to meet your needs. And if going out and trying the latest restaurant or exploring the trendiest gallery are among your favorite activities, you’ll want to be sure your neighborhood caters to those businesses.

Regardless of your unique needs, if you want to ensure your long-term happiness in your dream Dallas home, then you must consider the future of your neighborhood.

If you liked this article, then you will like “To Move or to Remodel in Dallas: That is the Question.”