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Make a list of the things that are most important to you when looking into a new neighborhood. If you have children, include them in making that list. As you start to explore the neighborhoods, refer to your list.

Are there good schools in the area you are moving to? Have there been any major problems at the school or in the area involving kids? Are there children in the age group for your children to play with?

Drive around the neighborhood during different times of day. Do you see anything out of the ordinary? Is the neighborhood well lit? Are people taking good care of their yards? Do any of the neighbors have excessive amount of visitors. Always make sure to drive through in the evenings a few times. You will get a better sense of what you have to look forward to in terms of overly loud music, loud noisy neighbors, or does anyone use power tools on a semi regular basis.

Check with your local police department. Have they made numerous calls to that neighborhood? Have there been any break-ins? What is their take on that neighborhood? Any drug problems that they are aware of?

Check with the local fire department. Ask if there have been numerous calls to the neighborhood.

Stop and talk to some of the local residents. Get to know the people that you are considering living next to or around. Don't rely on just one or two of them for answers. Everyone will have a different opinion of the neighborhood they live in. If one family is having difficulties with another family, they won't be as open to honesty as another family that has had no problems.

If you are moving from another state, talk to friends who live in the area. However, don't rely solely on their opinions. To them it might be a nice quiet neighborhood (although they don't actually live there themselves), but when you move in, it is another story. Check it out yourself. Be conscientious about where you are putting your family and yourself. It is expensive to move and if you aren't happy with the place you are living, it could be awhile before you have the resources to move to another area.

Be wise, be smart and ask questions. Look at how far it is from your residence to where you are working. Is it worth the extra 15 minute commute? Check with the local realtor, what repairs have been made, when were they made? Never think a question is too trivial to ask. Become a pest and ask questions.

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