If you are a family looking to buy a new home, what kinds of things should you consider in terms of location? Some of the things you should be aware of are obvious, but others, maybe not so much.

Safety

This is one that I would put in the obvious category, security. Making sure you move to a safe place goes without saying. However, it is not just your neighborhood that you want to check, it is the surrounding areas. Some very nice places can be at the heart of crime. It is unfortunate, but it is so. You may not even know it until you drive through the areas at night or do a little research on crime locations in the city.

Developments

Learn about the future of your location you are moving to. The place you are moving to could be a great place, but do you have any plans to rezoning? Will you have adult entertainment clubs just down the street from you and your kids a year from now? Will you have a small airport built right behind your backyard? Don’t let tunnel vision take hold of your possibly nice new home. Do your homework. You may be surprised to find that there is a rezoning that will increase the value of your property within a few years.

Schools

This is extremely important and I think most families are aware. Know the schools that are close to your home. You are safe? Do you prefer private schools for your children? Are there any nearby?

Evacuation

If you live in Florida like I do, then this can be a very important evacuation route. Hurricanes are pretty common here, and we’ve had a few bad ones since I’ve lived here. Therefore, where you live can affect how long it takes you and your family to get out of town and to safety. You don’t want to end up in a place where you and your children sit in traffic hours to get out of town. Make sure you live close to your city or state evacuation route. Trust me this time. I speak from personal experience.

Hospitals

If someone in your family has medical problems or if you have young children, you may want to live near a hospital or emergency center. Living relatively close to a hospital or emergency room can give you peace of mind in the event of an unexpected nightmare.

In short, do your homework, protect yourself, and protect your future, your family.