What Locals Love About Their Neighborhoods

When you’re house hunting, style and square footage matter, but don’t get so caught up in those details that you forget about one of the most important considerations: neighborhood personality. Whether you’re looking for a cul-de-sac full of your kids’ future friends or a short walk to your favorite bar, picking the right neighborhood is essential to your homeowner happiness.

Who knows neighborhoods best? The locals. Here’s what residents around the nation love about their own stomping grounds.

Atlanta, Georgia

From Midtown’s friendliness to East Atlanta’s community events, Georgia’s capital is neighborly as can be.

Saying “Hi” to Neighbors: Midtown

If you think Atlanta is a friendly place, you should check out Midtown. The residents of this neighborhood are committed to the art of congeniality—an impressive 79.7 percent of them say “hi” to their neighbors when they see them. In addition to strong community connections, this area is a hub for arts and culture. Midtown is home to the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. It also borders Atlanta’s iconic Piedmont Park.

Live your friendliest life in this modern Midtown house. See more photos here.

Sprawling contemporary home

$885,000

Offering a rooftop patio, backyard garden, and chef’s kitchen, this spacious townhouse is the perfect home for entertaining—or just taking a break from the hustle and bustle of Midtown.

Attending Community Events: East Atlanta

In East Atlanta, you can venture to celebrated music halls, check out vibrant street art, eat at upscale dining hotspots—or you can opt for a little bonding time with your neighbors instead. More than 72 percent of East Atlanta residents say they’ve attended a community event in this area, like a block party or barbecue. Afterward, you can take the family to see the sights at Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park or take a stroll through the gravestones at the famous Oakland Cemetery.

This East Atlanta home begs for a barbeque. See more photos here.

Charming three-bedroom craftsman

$360,000

This sunny East Atlanta home is roomy inside and out. With an enviable front porch, back deck, and spacious yard, you might just host a few community events of your own.
San Francisco, California

San Franciscans love nature and the holidays. That’s very clear in Bernal Heights and Mission Bay.

Decorating for the Holidays: Mission Bay

This sleek, up-and-coming San Francisco neighborhood is full of holiday cheer. More than 70 percent of Mission Bay residents decorate their homes for the holidays, making it a fun spot for the young at heart. Known as a hub for professionals in the science and tech space, Mission Bay has plenty of outdoor activities, too—like kayaking in the bay—that make this area a great time year-round.

This Mission Bay condo is in the midst of holiday heaven. See more photos here.

Light and bright condo

$949,000

Love to be in the middle of the action? Location is everything, and this little condo has it. In the heart of Mission Bay, it has plenty of windows to create a spacious feel, despite the low square footage. Perfect for checking out the neighborhood holiday light displays.

Seeing Nature Outside Your Door: Bernal Heights

Sitting atop a large hill, Bernal Heights offers a small-town feel in the middle of a big city. Residents even get in touch with nature here, as a whopping 68 percent report they have spotted wild animals outside their door. If a combination of parks and urban boutiques and restaurants sounds like your perfect spot, you might want to hurry—home prices in this area are on the rise as more people discover its charm.

Love critters? Just look around in Bernal Heights. See more photos here.

Beautifully updated multi-family home

$1,998,000

Interested in earning a little extra cash? With this updated multi-family unit you can plant your roots and rent out the adjacent unit.
Denver, Colorado

Whether you’re footloose or have kids in tow, Denver’s Capitol Hill and Montbello are ready for you.

Having a Walkable Neighborhood: Capitol Hill

In Denver‘s popular Capitol Hill neighborhood, it’s easy to park your car and forget about it. Or ditch it completely. Not only are there tons of restaurants to walk to (and 93.3 percent of residents do exactly that), but some of the city’s biggest attractions are here—like the Colorado State Capitol, the Denver Art Museum, Colorado History Museum, City Park, and more.

Who needs a car with a front stoop in Capitol Hill? See more photos here.

Hi-rise condo with amenities galore

$629,900

With this three-bedroom condo, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and soak up the fun of city life. From restaurants to culture, everything you need is right outside your door. And inside? Luxury amenities like an on-site concierge.

Being Kid-Friendly: Montbello

The Denver area is booming, and the community of Montbello is no exception. Considered one of the hottest suburban home markets in the nation, families love Montbello’s close-knit vibe, beautiful views, and abundant open space. Plus, it’s an area where 86.4 percent of residents say they regularly see kids playing outside.

Call the kids in to eat in this Montbello home. See more photos here.

Four-bedroom gem on a corner lot

$299,000

With more than 7,000 square feet of yard space, this Montbello home has plenty of room for the energy of a growing family—and all their neighborhood friends.
Austin, Texas

Whether it’s pets or plants, Austinites love caring for living things—especially in Riverside and Bouldin.

Being Dog-Friendly: Riverside

Love your pooch? You’ve come to the right place. More than 94 percent of residents in the pet-friendly, up-and-coming Austin neighborhood of Riverside say they see people walking dogs. Close to the University of Texas and a short drive to Downtown Austin, it’s home to young professionals and students. Major redevelopments underway mean new restaurants and attractions are popping up regularly, too.

This Riverside yard is a dog enthusiast’s dream. See more photos here.

Remodeled home in a quiet spot

$565,000

With more than 2,000 square feet of space inside and nearly 8,000 square feet of yard, this Riverside colonial could be home to all dogs as you can handle. And thanks to the quiet street, they won’t even howl at passing cars all day.

Having Pretty Front Yards: Bouldin

Bouldin is both family-friendly and full of all the things that make Austin famously quirky. You’ll find tattoo shops, food trucks, eccentric art galleries, and second-hand shops—as well as plenty of green thumbs. A reported 81.8 percent of residents take pride in their yard, making Bouldin as pretty as it is funky.

Gardeners will love this Bouldin front yard. See more photos here.

Modern home with city views

$1,400,000

Not only is this home colorful and fun, this home is also in a prime spot—just one mile from Lady Bird Lake, two miles from Downtown Austin, and a 10-minute drive to the airport.