Moving to a new area can be stressful. Even if you have lived within a city for a very long time, moving to a new neighborhood can mean a complete change of lifestyle. When you decide it is time for a change, how can you locate the best neighborhood for you and your family?

1. Drive around the area. Drive down the streets and up and down nearby streets. Check to see if the places you like to go are nearby. If you have kids, is there a school nearby? Is there a grocery store and/or mall nearby?' Think about the area you live in currently and right down the things about that area that you like. Use that comparison sheet when you are driving around as a checklist for the criteria you would most like to see in your new neighborhood.

2. Check public records for comparable home sales data. Are the values of homes going up, down or remaining steady? Remember your home is an investment. You will want to watch for neighborhoods that are increasing in value, because it is a good indicator that your home will increase too. If home values are going down or seem to be erratic, find out why.

3. Check zoning! This is very important. If there are empty spaces of land around or nearby your neighborhood, make sure you find out what that land is zoned for in the future. Very often people buy homes in areas near future commercial zoning and find out about it once it's too late. Don't wait until they're erecting that future plaza mall in your backyard to figure out that the gorgeous lot behind your new home is zoned for commercial builds. Once you have found out the zoning, make sure you feel comfortable with it before you buy the home.

4. Find out about future development. Often development can signal higher property values, but it can also mean more traffic and congestion. Make sure that you are comfortable with the development and it's proximity to your new home.

5. Visit the area at night. If you can, visit the home at night. Often times the view of a home is nice during the day, but can turn into a bunch of parking lights at night. Listen to the neighborhood at night. Is there a lot of activity or does it seem fairly peaceful?

6. Find out about crime. Make sure that the neighborhood has a safety level that you feel comfortable with for your family. Check with local police departments or go online for crime statistic information in the area.

7. Check into the local schools if you have or plan to have children. Find out about the school district and don't be afraid to ask about test scores.

8. Test the commute. If you can, visit the neighborhood during the week to figure out how long your commute will be each day. If you utilize public transportation to get to work, find out how far away it is, and if it is in an area you feel comfortable visiting each day. Many people buy a house without calculating how long it will take them to commute. Remember commutes can be very stressful, tiring and even costly each day. Take that into account when you are making your decision.

9. Talk to the neighbors. Current residents have nothing to gain by convincing you to live in their neighborhood. They will most often give you an honest, reasonable analysis of the area and what they like most and least about living there. You'll also have a chance to socialize with future neighbors to find out if the people in the area share you common values and goals.

10. Find out if there is a Homeowner's Association. HOA's can be very positive, or negative depending upon the rules and people involved. Read the bylaws carefully and make sure that you understand them and that the restrictions are ones that you can live with each day. Many associations have provisions as to what color you can paint your house and what kind or style of landscaping you can use. Some are more relaxed and flexible, others can be rather stringent. Make sure you find out before you purchase the home because they will play a large role in your lifestyle within the area.

Finding the right neighborhood for you doesn't have to be a difficult task. Following these simple guidelines will help give you a great start to finding your perfect new home!