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What factors contribute to living in a nice area?
What makes some areas nicer to live in then others?
I'm looking to quantify the exact reasons why people choose to live in one area over another.
Any personal or annecdotal information will be helpful. Any blog, magazine or formal studies completed on this topic will be invaluable.
Some of the factors that I've already thought of include:
Elementary Schools
Secondary Schools
Post-Secondary Schools
Community Parks
Pools & Arenas
Mass Transit Stops
Airports
Shopping Malls
Grocery Stores
Convenience Stores
Gas Stations
I'm looking to quantify the exact reasons why people choose to live in one area over another.
Any personal or annecdotal information will be helpful. Any blog, magazine or formal studies completed on this topic will be invaluable.
Some of the factors that I've already thought of include:
Elementary Schools
Secondary Schools
Post-Secondary Schools
Community Parks
Pools & Arenas
Mass Transit Stops
Airports
Shopping Malls
Grocery Stores
Convenience Stores
Gas Stations
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answers (7)
My personal criteria, include traffic; availability of arts events; beautiful natural features nearby; unique cultural/historical museums and events; pleasant climate (to my definition--YMMV); availability of ethnic foods/items; good libraries and higher education facilities; good internet connectivity (must have broadband!); nice places to be outside (parks, outdoor eating) and freedom issues.
Part of what does it for me is traffic. I would much prefer to be doing whatever I want to do, whether that's a museum or grilling on the deck, to staring at the back of another car and wondering if someone's going to ram me.
The area I live in is "nice", but it's not posh. It's about 3 minutes from posh in two directions, and 15 minutes from one of the nicest areas of my city. A lot of people choose to live in either the posh areas or the area 15 minutes from me. That's fine. I have much more time in my day because I'm not fighting traffic daily!
An anecdote: My family just returned from Chicago, where we attended my daughter's international ballet competition. At the beginning of the weekend our kids were raving about it and asking why we couldn't move there. After battling traffic there for four days, smelling the smells, not being able to buy their own desserts out of their allowances because they cost twice as much as elsewhere, having to walk blocks because guarded lots cost so much, they started saying "We can come visit some other time, but let's not live here!" And we were mostly in either nicer 'burbs or along the Lakeshore and Magnificent Mile. They didn't even see the seamy side of Chicago! My son looked up a bunch of free things to do online, and we did do some of them and had fun.
The other unusual item on my list is "freedom issues". Where I live, I am free to buy my food from local farmers; I am free to choose my kids' education without being overseen by the local schools. There is not a lot of red tape in my life. I have friends and relatives in other states who have to jump through all kinds of hoops to do the same things I do. They loose hours every month to the red tape. I don't. I wouldn't want to live where they live, even if their areas fit every other piece of criteria on my list.
Part of what does it for me is traffic. I would much prefer to be doing whatever I want to do, whether that's a museum or grilling on the deck, to staring at the back of another car and wondering if someone's going to ram me.
The area I live in is "nice", but it's not posh. It's about 3 minutes from posh in two directions, and 15 minutes from one of the nicest areas of my city. A lot of people choose to live in either the posh areas or the area 15 minutes from me. That's fine. I have much more time in my day because I'm not fighting traffic daily!
An anecdote: My family just returned from Chicago, where we attended my daughter's international ballet competition. At the beginning of the weekend our kids were raving about it and asking why we couldn't move there. After battling traffic there for four days, smelling the smells, not being able to buy their own desserts out of their allowances because they cost twice as much as elsewhere, having to walk blocks because guarded lots cost so much, they started saying "We can come visit some other time, but let's not live here!" And we were mostly in either nicer 'burbs or along the Lakeshore and Magnificent Mile. They didn't even see the seamy side of Chicago! My son looked up a bunch of free things to do online, and we did do some of them and had fun.
The other unusual item on my list is "freedom issues". Where I live, I am free to buy my food from local farmers; I am free to choose my kids' education without being overseen by the local schools. There is not a lot of red tape in my life. I have friends and relatives in other states who have to jump through all kinds of hoops to do the same things I do. They loose hours every month to the red tape. I don't. I wouldn't want to live where they live, even if their areas fit every other piece of criteria on my list.
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Some really good answers. Thanks a lot everyone.
I picked this answer because it contributed the most to the list I've created.
Thanks again!
I picked this answer because it contributed the most to the list I've created.
Thanks again!
Quantify? :)
I would have to dig around for actual studies, though I have seen some over the years. But obviously a lot would depend on your circumstances... I have no kids, so schools would not come into it at all for me.
From a personal perspective... the simple answer is intellectually vibrant, cosmopolitan communities. The places that hit the spot are either usually smaller university towns or big cities with great colleges, knowledge-oriented industries etc.
These places usually have the kind of life I find attractive... interesting people and organisations... stimulating events... decent infrastucture... varied restaurants, etc.
I would have to dig around for actual studies, though I have seen some over the years. But obviously a lot would depend on your circumstances... I have no kids, so schools would not come into it at all for me.
From a personal perspective... the simple answer is intellectually vibrant, cosmopolitan communities. The places that hit the spot are either usually smaller university towns or big cities with great colleges, knowledge-oriented industries etc.
These places usually have the kind of life I find attractive... interesting people and organisations... stimulating events... decent infrastucture... varied restaurants, etc.
Here are some resources that Google throws up. They show what kind of factors people generally consider are important, and help you find places that match either those general criteria or your personal selection:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/
http://www.bestplaces.net/
http://www.kiplinger.com/money/bestcities/
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/
http://www.bestplaces.net/
http://www.kiplinger.com/money/bestcities/
Thank-you. The Kiplinger articles were helpful.
Money Magazine publishes a "Best Places to Live" list every year, and in that list they detail their criteria covering everything from the arts to the job market.
Instead of regurgitating all that information here, just go to the source. Here is the list for 2008
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/
Instead of regurgitating all that information here, just go to the source. Here is the list for 2008
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/
Sorry Whiskeybravo (I love your name by the way)...
I don't see the "list they detail their criteria covering everything from the arts to the job market". Could you point me in the right direction?
I don't see the "list they detail their criteria covering everything from the arts to the job market". Could you point me in the right direction?
For me a lot of it has to do with actual upkeep and cleanliness. I am far less likely to consider a place "nice" if there are weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk, trash on the streets, dilapidated buildings, etc. A nice area to live in has that aesthetic value, it looks like the community cares enough to take care of it. Maybe a tad superficial but it inevitably factors in for me.
Other than that, convenience is a big factor (is everything I need nearby) and general community attitude as well.
Other than that, convenience is a big factor (is everything I need nearby) and general community attitude as well.
Thanks Evan. Could you tell me what you "need"?
For sure... I know for a lot of people a good quality school system is a definite "need" but for me being out of school and without a family, it doesn't factor in. I need:
-Food & drink: grocery store, convenience store, liquor store, restaurants (especially those that have take out or delivery)
-Entertainment: movie theater, parks/recreational areas and facilities, bowling alley, performance venues
-Shopping: I'm not a big shopper but I want the basics covered with a decent mall, Target, Home Depot, etc.
-Music: I'm a musician so I want a good scene, instrument/repair stores, and places to play
-Accessibility to major city: if I'm not living in a city (which I am currently) I want to be close enough to a big one that I can get there in an hour or less. Because what a smaller town might not have will probably be there, like airports, major sports venues, or even just a change of scenery.
Hope that helps!
-Food & drink: grocery store, convenience store, liquor store, restaurants (especially those that have take out or delivery)
-Entertainment: movie theater, parks/recreational areas and facilities, bowling alley, performance venues
-Shopping: I'm not a big shopper but I want the basics covered with a decent mall, Target, Home Depot, etc.
-Music: I'm a musician so I want a good scene, instrument/repair stores, and places to play
-Accessibility to major city: if I'm not living in a city (which I am currently) I want to be close enough to a big one that I can get there in an hour or less. Because what a smaller town might not have will probably be there, like airports, major sports venues, or even just a change of scenery.
Hope that helps!
Some things vary according to personal preference. For instance, I give up the corner market in favor of owning 40 acres in a distant, rural area. But, in general, here's my list:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/7/297
- A community with a healthy tax base (people and businesses are prosperous), to allow for repair of streets and other infrastructure in a timely manner.
- People who will put action behind their desire for a better neighborhood. For instance, citizens banded together here to create a non-profit to restore some dilapidated historical buildings and got a grant for matching funds.
- Parks and other nice "commons" where people can gather.
- Thriving theatre groups
- Availability of a wide variety of quality foods at all levels, from personal garden to great local restaurants.
- Public transit. It doesn't have to be super fancy, but it should be regular so that people of all socioeconomic levels can get jobs where available and live where they can afford.
- Beauty. It's helpful if there's beautiful scenery, but the sweet old lady that keeps all the amazing flower beds tended at the local fair counts, too.
- A responsible local government - our county was "in the black" until about 3 years ago, when they had the opportunity to get a new county building cheaply. Mainly, they live within our means, even if it hurts a bit.
- Good communication infrastructure, including broadband. This is going to become increasingly important.
- Low noise. It's one of the reasons I live where I do. The constant traffic, helicopters, radios of the city make me a little nuts in very little time.
- Ability to see the stars.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/7/297
My top three
1 (if you have kids). If you do have kids your number one concern should be their education and getting a good one. This means that when you are looking for a place to live, schools should be the first thing you look at. Also, try to get a house closest to all the schools in the vicinity so that you can minimize the distance your kids have to go, and get them to walk to save you from driving and get them exercise
1 (if not). In the instance that you don't have kids, it is probably best to check out how you are going to be able to get to work and around the city. Having a subway in the city can be extremely helpful in getting around and can save you time and money on your daily commute and it helps if you to go out and do something. Also, if there is no mass transit system, than it is very useful for a city to be good at controlling traffic.
2. How nice a place looks (good parks, sidewalks, trees, etc.). When you live in a place that looks nice, it usually means that there are nice people in charge of the neighborhood as well as the people who live there. It also makes it look a lot friendlier.
3. Places are nice to live in is because of the people who live in those areas. It is much nicer to wake up after a snowstorm with your driveway cleared than it is to wake up with extra snow on your driveway because your neighbor was careless with their snowblower. It makes you feel a lot better when you know that you live with people who care
1 (if you have kids). If you do have kids your number one concern should be their education and getting a good one. This means that when you are looking for a place to live, schools should be the first thing you look at. Also, try to get a house closest to all the schools in the vicinity so that you can minimize the distance your kids have to go, and get them to walk to save you from driving and get them exercise
1 (if not). In the instance that you don't have kids, it is probably best to check out how you are going to be able to get to work and around the city. Having a subway in the city can be extremely helpful in getting around and can save you time and money on your daily commute and it helps if you to go out and do something. Also, if there is no mass transit system, than it is very useful for a city to be good at controlling traffic.
2. How nice a place looks (good parks, sidewalks, trees, etc.). When you live in a place that looks nice, it usually means that there are nice people in charge of the neighborhood as well as the people who live there. It also makes it look a lot friendlier.
3. Places are nice to live in is because of the people who live in those areas. It is much nicer to wake up after a snowstorm with your driveway cleared than it is to wake up with extra snow on your driveway because your neighbor was careless with their snowblower. It makes you feel a lot better when you know that you live with people who care
1. Close to work
2. Fitness clubs
3. Shopping Centres
4. Trails for hiking/biking
5. Good schools
6. Good views from the house
7. Cost of the house
2. Fitness clubs
3. Shopping Centres
4. Trails for hiking/biking
5. Good schools
6. Good views from the house
7. Cost of the house
Thanks, those are good ones.
I especially like the Fitness Clubs and the Good Views. I didn't have those on my list.
Thanks Sunpat!
I especially like the Fitness Clubs and the Good Views. I didn't have those on my list.
Thanks Sunpat!
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As a result of your answer, I've added these things to my list:
Cultural Events (art, live theater, main street events, etc)
Resturaunts (ethnic food avaliability is importnant to some folks)
Internet connectivity
Commute times & distances to major commercial and industral areas
Proximity to metropolitan areas
Did I miss any? Are there any other things that you think could be important to other people. Again, great answer. This is what I was hoping for. I really hope that my list continues to grow from this question.