Utah is one of the most stunning and affordable states in the country, embodying a melting pot of culture while embracing a diverse population of residents representing all ages, religions, and backgrounds imaginable. So, if you’re considering moving to Utah, the process of choosing a residential community can be challenging since the choice naturally involves many considerations.
Here are tips to follow when choosing a residential community in Utah, helping you pick the best neighborhood in the state to call home.
Affordability
Affordability is the most crucial factor to consider for people considering moving. Keep in mind that the term not solely refers to the home value, but it encompasses the total costs of living within that community, including several expenditures. These include groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare—and the lesser you must spend to get by in prime health, the more affordable the neighborhood is.
Plus, looking at this factor first helps you choose the best home loans that fit your dream home and community without breaking the bank.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities remain a vital and often decisive factor when deciding around where to live. So, besides looking at the real estate market, you’ll need to pay attention to the area’s job market as well. You can begin by analyzing the quality of opportunities within your sector and see where the highest concentration of those jobs is located. In essence, you should find a job before relocating to ensure you have a steady income flow.
Real Estate Value
As a homebuyer, you can’t afford to not understand your new neighborhood’s real estate market with real estate values constantly fluctuating, especially if you plan on selling the property in the future. You can determine the community’s real estate market value in many ways. These include looking at current residential property costs, the length of time for-sale houses sit on the market, and whether homes sell above or below your asking price.
You’ll also need to review local housing price trends to get a clearer picture of the local real estate market. The cost of real estate is crucial even if you don’t have plans on buying a home right away since you’ll still need to make room for rent in your budget.
Community Size
A great thing about Utah is that it’s the perfect combination of rural and urban living. If you prefer living in the comforting cloak of anonymity and are used to the hustle and bustle of city life, choosing neighborhoods within Salt Lake City is ideal. However, if you’re looking to live in peace and a generally quiet location, small towns like Bicknell and Coalville are the best choice.
Crime Rates and Statistics
Nobody would want to live in a high-crime area. However, that doesn’t mean everyone can live in a crime-free location since it’s still inevitable. Still, it’s better to live in an area where it’s less frequent for the safety of you and your family. Luckily, Utah is an overall safe state, but it’s still wise to use municipal and state resources to see crime statistics in any residential community you’re currently eyeing. But just because records say an area is safe, that doesn’t mean it’ll be safe in the future.
Other ways to determine crime possibilities in Utah is by looking at the long-term stability of a neighborhood and the development trajectory of the location.
Proximity to Loved Ones
If you treasure your time spent with your loved ones, you might need to think twice about moving too far from them, and driving across Utah to reunite for the holidays can be daunting. So, if you have any relatives in the state, make sure to consider places that are near their homes. However, if you’re looking for a change of pace and scenery that won’t take you too far out of pocket, consider moving to nearby colleges or vacation towns filled with solid and diverse local economies.
Taxes
In the U.S., entirely escaping taxes is impossible. However, moving to the right community can trim your tax burden. For instance, nine states waive income taxes on most occupations and businesses. But when choosing a neighborhood, you’ll need to consider multiple levies, including property, school, and gasoline taxes. You can quantify this impact at your possible address by looking at the Tax Foundation’s state-local tax burden report, calculating what taxpayers in all states pay in state and local taxes.
Luckily, most states provide property tax credits or homestead exemptions to give homeowners some additional tax relief.
Moving can be less of a hassle when you choose your neighborhood early on, but when selecting a residential community, make sure to carefully consider it since you’ll be living in the area up until you decide to move, which ranges from a couple of years to a lifetime. Following the tips mentioned can make the process easier for you—helping you pick the best residential community to call home.
