Author Topic: Finding/creating kickass neighborhoods.  (Read 2591 times)

onemorebike

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 343
Finding/creating kickass neighborhoods.
« on: November 29, 2014, 08:42:51 AM »
Inspired about a recent thread about neighbors. I've looked into this quite a bit, read a book called playborhoods on how to create a neighborhood that nurtures play. In our current hood we've transformed the place drawing the four to six families out from their houses and into front yards/streets etc. It has really come alive! I've had a number of the older folks in the neighborhood tell me how drastically it changed since we arrived.

Anyway, we are moving to a new city and I'm wondering if anyone has tips and tricks for moving into a neighborhood where this is already going on. Where there are already kids at play but also neighbors that are friendly and out front. Not that we would mind recreating this but we'd prefer not to have to start from scratch!

I you were buying a house what would you look out for?

(We are.pretty social people so no tactics will be discarded)

MKinVA

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 328
Re: Finding/creating kickass neighborhoods.
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2014, 08:49:10 AM »
Look for neighborhoods near a public park or dog park. People in the neighborhood usually use these parks and makes for a natural meeting place. My old neighborhood had a public park that held a farmers market on Saturdays. My new neighborhood owns a riverfront property where we have cook outs several times a year.

Gray Matter

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3672
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Finding/creating kickass neighborhoods.
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2014, 09:14:13 AM »
If you know people who live in the new city, ask them.  Describe what you like and see what they have to say, maybe say you're looking for "a small town in the city."  Also, visit the prospective neighborhoods and sit in a public place (like a park, coffee shop, etc.).  Are there people out and about?  Do they seem to know each other?  Are people out walking their dogs (great way to meet folks)?  What kinds of fliers are hanging up on bulletin boards--are there plenty of local activities going on?  Go hang out at the school when it lets out--are there parents standing around talking in groups?  Are there lots of people calling out "hi" to other people?  Is there a neighborhood newspaper or newsletter?  Read it it if there is?  How do they celebrate the Fourth?  National Night Out?  Also, look for a neighborhood with sidewalks, no fences in the front yard, front porches that are open and have furniture on them.

I live in such a neighborhood and count my lucky stars that we stumbled upon it as starving grad students--we started in an apartment, then bought a small house, then a larger house when we had kids.  I'd like to live in the neighborhood forever, downsizing as it makes sense.