If your back-to-school list includes a house, there's still time to find a great place with a good school district and settle in for the year.
Most people are looking for good schools, parks, safety and affordability.
One of the first considerations is the neighborhood itself, and that is something you may have to determine for yourself. Real estate agents are generally prohibited from characterizing a location in order to prevent housing discrimination.
So you will want to do a little footwork and check out the locations. If you see a house you like, get out of the car and walk the block. You'll get an idea of whether the neighborhood is quiet or busy, if kids are out and about and even how close the park is.
If your next move is part of the trend out of the cities and into suburbs or small towns, you'll have some new things to learn. For one thing, in small town and suburbs, you'll need a car, and proximity to schools, services and work might be an issue. Be sure to actually test out the drives!
Get a feeling for the traffic level in the neighborhoods. A cul-de-sac often offers less traffic, increased privacy and familiarity with neighbors. However, houses on a cul-de-sac may cost more — sometimes up to 20 percent more.
Newer developments may have younger families, but older neighborhoods may have lots of mature trees and sidewalks on a walkable grid to local stores and services. Older neighborhoods often offer larger lots and bigger houses, but probably not with modern floorplans.
Finally, check out the schools by visiting in person. Look at the facilities, how orderly the school is and the events being scheduled. You can also find school ratings online.