Five Tips in Finding Your Perfect Silicon Valley Neighborhood
The neighborhood you choose to live in can have a big impact on your lifestyle. Below are five discussion points that should help you in finding your perfect Silicon Valley neighborhood.
1. How long of a commute do you wish to have? Are you comfortable commuting 30 minutes, 45 minutes or an hour or more to work? Make the drive to work during rush hour and on different days of the week.
2. Check out schools and school districts at Great Schools, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara County Charter Schools, or private schools for information about test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college and special enrichment programs. You may also want to visit the schools in the neighborhoods that you are considering.
3. What other activities do you regularly participate in? Do you need to be close to your gym, golf course, running trails, neighborhood swimming pool or house of worship? Where are the grocery stores? How accessible to major traffic arteries do you want to be?
4. How safe is the neighborhood you wish to live in? Check online for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but the type. For example, Los Altos crime usually consists of auto brake ins and burglaries, violent crime is virtually nonexistent.
5. The type of housing may determine the neighborhood make-up. Most single family homes are located in single family home neighborhoods. Most condo/townhouse communities are located in higher density neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are transitional, meaning that they tend to be a mix of several types of housing.
Once you’ve narrowed your focus to a few neighborhoods, check them out. Walk around, visit with the neighbors, go to the neighborhood park and have a conversation. Choosing your neighborhood is a big decision that YOU must make. Once you determine your desired neighborhood, I would love to help you find your dream home.
