If you’re looking for a new apartment, you need to consider the neighborhood. This choice will dictate much of your total experience with the apartment, influencing your safety, available amenities, and much, much more.

So what should you look for in a local neighborhood? And how do you know when you’ve found the right one?

Cost and Availability

One of the first things you should consider is your budget. Certain neighborhoods may offer everything you’ve ever wanted, but they might be totally out of your financial range. On the other hand, you may not want the cheapest apartment available, as it probably doesn’t have a lot to offer. You should aim to find a neighborhood with apartments that are perfectly within your price range, but still capable of offering most of what you need.

Another dynamic to consider in this category is availability. If an area has relatively inexpensive apartments but a lot to offer, it might be hard to find vacant apartments to rent. The severity of this obstacle depends on your goals, priorities, and current position, but no matter what, it’s something you’ll need to consider.

History

Some people like to consider the history of an area as well, either because of their fascination, their aesthetic preferences, or because of the types of amenities and points of interest that are available. For example, the historic Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa offers one of the most dynamic areas in or around the city. Almost everything you need is within walking distance or a short drive, and it’s home to a multitude of both historically relevant sites and new additions.

Aesthetics

You may also want to choose an apartment based on your aesthetic preferences. Are you looking for an apartment that’s more traditional and rustic, or one that’s sleeker and more modern? Are you looking for a neighborhood where all the buildings look unique, or one where everything has a similar, consistent vibe? Do you want to feel like you’re in awe when walking around the neighborhood, or are the aesthetics of your neighborhood more of a secondary consideration?

Along similar lines, pay attention to upkeep and cleanliness. Most people prefer to live in neighborhoods that are well maintained, beautified, and relatively clean.

Transportation Options

Pay close attention to the transportation options available in your neighborhood. Do you feel comfortable walking around the sidewalks, and are there lots of things in walking distance? Is there any public transportation available, and if so, how easy and affordable is the access? Are the streets drivable, and do you have access to a local highway? Generally, the more transportation options you have, the better, but you may have particular preferences in this category.

Proximity to Amenities

Similarly, you should consider the proximity of your apartments to local amenities in the neighborhood. Is the neighborhood structured so that you can conveniently access things like grocery stores, gyms, gas stations, and other daily necessities?

Safety

Obviously, you’ll also want to look at crime statistics in the area and gauge the relative safety of the neighborhood. Most people prefer to live in neighborhoods with low crime rates, and especially low violent crime rates. You should also investigate any underlying patterns in these statistics; does it seem like this neighborhood is getting safer, or is it trending to become less safe?

Schools

If you have kids, you should definitely consider the schools in each neighborhood. The quality of a school district has a direct impact on the quality of education your child is likely to receive, and it can even impact your quality of life overall. However, even if you don’t have kids, you should consider examining school district quality, as neighborhoods with good school districts tend to attract better people and support the growth of more amenities and opportunities.

Neighbors

If you really want to get a feel for the neighborhood, get to know some of your prospective neighbors. When you walk around the neighborhood and say hello to people, do they smile and say hello back? Do you feel comfortable introducing yourself to these people? Do they seem happy with the neighborhood? Start some conversations and see what they say.

Overall Vibe

Sometimes, a neighborhood gives you a feeling that you can’t quite put your finger on. Don’t be afraid to choose a neighborhood because of how it makes you feel, especially if you’ve already considered all the other objective factors on this list.

Narrowing Down the List

There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of neighborhoods in this country that meet all your criteria and then some. Unfortunately, this abundance of options can sometimes make your decision even more difficult. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, work on narrowing down your list, and make a final decision from there.