You’ve probably already made some decisions about which community or side of town appeals to you and how far away from work you’d like to be.

Perhaps your search is based upon the schools your children will be attending or the proximity to activities you enjoy when you’re not at work. Possibly, you’re more interested in the potential resale value of the home when you’re ready to move on.

Location
Choose a location that you’ll enjoy living in. You should enjoy the ambiance of the entire neighborhood and feel comfortable as you drive through its streets. It should be safe and should offer the services that you depend on, such as schools, athletic clubs and convenient shopping. Be sure that you’re close enough to the things that are important to you so that living in this new neighborhood will not cause a major change in your lifestyle.

Location conditions that affect resale
Whatever reservations you may have when you purchase a particular home will likely be the same ones future buyers will have when you're ready to sell. These are the most common conditions that affect the sell of even
a well maintained home:

• Busy street or road
• Corner lot with no backyard or privacy
• School district
• Condition and reputation of the neighborhood
• Encroaching business and industrial zoning
• Too far from amenities and services
• Dirt road
• No basement
• High property taxes

Living in Rural Areas
25% of the population prefers rural life because of amenities that can’t be found in more densely populated areas. You can live on acreage instead of a small city lot and enjoy  listening to the sound of singing birds rather than
the roar of local traffic.
Rural areas are also attractive because they have the lowest tax rates. However, tax rates are low because the government agencies in these places don’t provide a lot of services. You can expect to pay higher insurance premiums because fire and emergency services may be ten or twelve miles away and the nearest large hospital might take half an hour to reach.

There are few building restrictions and practically no zoning rules. You may be able to keep horses and other livestock generally forbidden in a city setting. You maintain your own water supply and sewage disposal system. Your heating fuel will be oil or propane and is trucked in as needed. Instead of cable, you'll use a satellite dish for internet and television services. You might also live on a dirt road that will be dusty in the summer, muddy when it rains, and may not be quickly plowed in the winter. Schools, churches, shopping, and your place of employment could be miles away.

Living in Cities or Towns
You'll be closer to everything and you’ll benefit from the convenience of public utilities and services. You’ll most likely live in a subdivision where your children will walk to a neighborhood school and play in neighborhood parks. You won’t put a lot of miles your car when you go shopping or drive to work. When you eventually decide to move, your home will attract more buyers and sell more quickly.