5 steps to finding a place where you belong

If houses are like spouses, a neighbourhood is like the extended family. But while you can have a good marriage and still dread holidays with the in-laws, you'll never love a house if you don't like your neighbourhood.

How can you choose the right community? Become a neighbourhood detective. Figure out what you're looking for, do research and find a neighbourhood that fits your description. You don't even have to wear a trench coat -- but it probably wouldn't hurt.

STEP 1 -- Profile Your Perfect Neighbourhood

Before you start scrutinizing neighbourhoods, turn the magnifying glass back on yourself.

Think about what you're really looking for in a new neighbourhood. Remember, you'll probably have to make compromises, so put the "must-haves" at the top and the "would- like-to-haves" at the bottom. Not sure what fits your lifestyle?

Here are some things to consider:

·                     Do you have children or are you planning to have children anytime soon? Parents know that the first thing to do when looking at a neighbourhood is to research the school system. Even if you're single, living in an area with a much sought-after school system raises your property value. If you have kids, you'll also want to live close to parks and community centers.

·                     What type of home do you want? Are you interested in a single-family home or an apartment, townhouse or co-op?

·                     How far are you willing to commute? Do you plan to drive, walk or take mass transit to work? Do you have a car or would you be willing to get one?

·                     Do you want to be in a historic neighbourhood or a new development? Historic neighbourhoods have tons of character, but often require lots of repair work and are governed by community associations with strict standards. Newer developments have more modern features, but are typically far from the city center.

·                     What is your current community lacking? If you're currently landlocked, but have always wanted to live on the waterfront, put that at the top of your list. If you're a coffee junkie, having a café down the street may be a dream come true.

·                     Do you want to be able to go places on foot? Would you like to be within walking distance of shops, restaurants and bars? Or would you be willing to drive to nearby businesses?

·                     Think about what you don't want in a neighbourhood, too. If you can't stand late-night noise, you'll probably want to steer clear of the college area or an area with a lively bar scene.

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