Read the above statement again and let it sink in. Why? Because finding a location that matches your wants and needs is critical to your happiness in your home and in your daily life. Think about this … you can always change or alter something you don’t like about a particular home. You can paint over the outdated color in the bedroom, upgrade a kitchen with new appliances or even budget for a large family room addition. 

What you can’t do is change the location.
Whether you’re moving across town, buying your first home or relocating from afar, you can find a perfect fit by doing two things:

1. Determining what matters most in terms of location

2. Doing your research

1. Determine What Matters Most
It’s the little daily habits that can make a big difference in where you live. A certain neighborhood may or may not match what you love or need to do every day.
Determine what you like most about your day. Really consider what you do and don’t like about your current neighborhood. Write it ALL down. Ask yourself questions like these:

• Do you want to be able to walk or bike to local shops and restaurants?
• Do you frequent the local coffee house?
• Do you exercise outdoors or need to be near a dog park?
• Do you want a short commute to work?
• Do you prefer a hubbub of activity or do you hate crowds, busy streets and traffic?
• If you have school-aged kids, will they attend public or private school? Is it important to be close enough to walk to school?
• Do you need green space, grass, trees and lots of open space?
• Do you love to garden or want a large backyard for children or dogs? Or would you rather not have a big yard to maintain?

• Is having an active neighborhood association and access to a neighborhood pool important to you?
• Do you prefer newer homes or historic areas?


Your list of “wants, needs & musts” is what should drive your search for a home and compatible neighborhood. Once you determine the most important features of your neighborhood, it’s time to do some research.

2. Do Your Research
Whether you are halfway across the country or already in the Little Rock area, it’s essential to gather information to narrow down your choices. Ruling out some neighborhoods before you start looking at houses will save you time and limit confusion.

Get Up Close & Personal  
If you’re in the Little Rock area, take a closer in-person look. Drive around both day and night, rush hour and weekends to see how the neighborhood works and functions on a daily basis.
 Visit friends, family or colleagues to see their neighborhoods in person. Meet them for lunch or dinner, walk around, visit stores. You’ll get a better feel for the atmosphere and amenities of the area. Ask for honest and direct answers about schools, crime, traffic, parking etc.
Talk with people who live in neighborhoods you are considering. What do they like most about them? Think about their answers and how their life or daily habits compare to yours.
 Find out from your contacts if their neighborhood has a good community listserv or e-newsletter and sign up if you can. Check out the neighborhood website or social media posts. These can give you an inside look at a particular location – events, activities, a sense of the community or any ongoing concerns by neighbors.

Get Online
The internet makes it very easy and convenient to get information on different neighborhoods, especially from afar. Before you take a deep dive into realtor.com or Zillow, check out some of these helpful sites: