“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”- Benjamin Franklin
We take the affair of buying a house pretty seriously. It’s warranted too. A house is considered by many, as a form of self expression. Most of us don’t give nearly enough thought to pick the home location. Even though we can always renovate your house to your needs anytime. Most houses can’t be moved around to places you like.
Life is all about choices. Your ideal home location is no different. We can start with understanding what you actually want. Do you prefer a city or a suburb? You might want to relocate to a new country altogether. Do you want to live near work or family? These days you can have both. Thanks to the thriving work-from-home and hybrid work culture.
Everybody needs a hospital near their house. Not everyone would need a Louis Vuitton store nearby. Maybe you would want to live close to the woods. Depending on your job nature or personality you might be switching jobs a lot. Buying a house near work wouldn’t be very practical in that case. Ask yourself these questions. Are there too many or too little activities going on around you? How easy is it to buy groceries? Access to public transport, parks, and libraries are all valid points to consider.
Since we are real people living in the real world competing for scarce resources, no discussion on choosing your home location is complete without talking about the cost of living. A point neatly demonstrated by the growing trend of the rich moving to the tech hubs of East Asia. You can refer to the Numbeo Cost of Living Index to get a complete picture of how pocket-friendly each city in the United States and South America is. The higher on the index, the more expensive the city is.
But a house is not only about stuff. It’s also about people. We are the average of our five closest friends. I can cite papers after papers of research to make this point. But you already know that it is true. If you are the kind of person who goes to the library you will have friends who also go to the library. If you smoke, you also have friends who smoke. Simple. But it is always better to play the peer-pressure game to everyone’s advantage.
There is no denying the fact that the crime rates in the USA are high compared to other developed countries. You don’t want to spend your life in a rough neighborhood. You can check websites like Neighborhood Scout to know about the crime rates of a city. If you have or plan to have children in the near future, make sure that you have good schools in the neighborhood. If you are working from home, don’t pick a location that sees occasional jumps in footfall. Or else you will struggle with the internet connection.
Climate change is now real. Nature is now an important factor to consider for your home buying decision. Avoid disaster prone areas from your list. If you want to add some extra caution, check the air quality of cities from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The following is a list of cities often considered as great places to live. This list is in no way comprehensive and is only intended to give a concrete view of where you can start.
1. Austin, Texas
Known for its live music scene, diverse culture, and booming tech industry.
2. Denver, Colorado
Offers a mix of outdoor recreational opportunities, a vibrant arts scene, and a growing job market.
3. Seattle, Washington
A tech hub with stunning natural surroundings, perfect for those who enjoy city life and the outdoors.
4. Portland, Oregon
Famous for its quirky charm, sustainable living, and proximity to both mountains and the ocean.
5. Raleigh, North Carolina
Part of the Research Triangle, it’s a hotspot for tech and research jobs, with a lower cost of living compared to other tech cities.
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Offers a high quality of life, strong job market, and a variety of cultural attractions.
7. Boston, Massachusetts
Rich in history, with top universities and a range of industries, from finance to healthcare.
8. San Diego, California
Boasts a laid-back lifestyle, beautiful beaches, and a thriving biotech industry.
9. Nashville, Tennessee
Known for its music scene and Southern hospitality, it’s also becoming a hub for healthcare and tech.
10. Charlotte, North Carolina
Growing financial hub with a lower cost of living compared to other major cities.
Finally if you are planning to get a mortgage, better get it pre approved. Only then will you know how much you can afford for your house. Hunting for a house without a figure in mind can be imprudent. US mortgage rates can drastically vary based on your loan size.
