The Local Community
Whether you’re buying a residential house for investment purposes or as your home, the local neighborhood and community where it is located will make a big difference in your enjoyment of that property and in your prospects for the future. Here are some of the basic things to look for:
1. Essential Shops and Services
Are all the essential shops and services in the area and are they you’re your house? Drive around and look for the local grocery, convenience stores, church, gas stations, dry cleaners and the like. While you’re at it, take a good look at the community’s leading shopping center. Oftentimes, if the local shopping center is in decline, chances are that the neighborhood is in decline as well. In addition, if there are a lot of vacant storefronts along that neighborhood, it might be a good idea to explore other options, perhaps go down a street or two for your house hunting.
2. Proximity to neighborhood center
You want your home to be neatly tucked away at the center of the residential neighborhood or as close to it as possible. You do not want to purchase a house on the edge of town or close to its outskirts. And neither do you want a house that is at the back or side of a busy thoroughfare either. If it’s a single family residence you are eyeing, try to avoid purchasing property that borders a bustling business enterprise, condominium, apartment complex or school because these places are naturally bustling with activity which can be a distraction.
3. Access to major thoroughfares
The ideal property provides easy access to local highways, major traffic routes and major thoroughfares as well as to mass transit. Try to avoid purchasing a house located on a street that is a favorite shortcut of motorists between two busier streets. If it’s a residential home you’re thinking of buying, also avoid a house located at a corner lot since these tend to attract more street traffic and may not be that safe for children. Instead, try to find a house that is in the middle of the block or on a cul de sac. Now if it’s a business or commercial property you are eyeing, a corner lot would be more desirable.
Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/the-local-community-72357.html
January 21st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
How to become involved with my local community and goverment?
I live in Miami, Florida and I am almost 17 years old.
I want to become more involved with my community and maybe my local courts.
What can I do? Is there any community service or teen programs?
All I want is some experience and knowledge of how my community runs.
Thanks.
January 21st, 2010 at 6:40 pm
You can join the Local Chamber of Commerce, as an Individual Membership.
Also, there are organizations such as the Young Democrats.
And there are Historical / Genealogy Societies that you can join
as a Member. Most of them are not very high in expense to join.
And you can be a volunteer at a hospital, nursing home too.
When you join the Chamber of Commerce, you’ll get invited to
be in a photo when new businesses are opened for Ribbon-Cutting.
And you can "sit in" on a Public Meeting of the City Council / County
Commissioners Meeting, when it is Not a Closed to the Public, meeting.
You can submit news to the local newspaper, and / or asked to be a junior reporter, volunteerily of course.
You may wish to be a volunteer at a Senior Citizens Center, do a fundraiser for a specific type of needed funding for a Special Project.
You can volunteer with the County Extension Office, for any Youth Group Activities they might have for the Summer or Winter.
You might wish to volunteer at a local library too.
Most times, public citizens can "sit in court & observe the action happening there".
For a Teen Reporter, you can interview the Court Clerk, the District Attorney, and the County Judge, about any topic you wish to report on, and submit it to the local newspaper or to the local history society.
You might wish to train to be a CASA Member, a Mentor / Advocate for Child Advocacy.
You might wish to volunteer at a Battered Women / Children’s Shelter.
You might wish to volunteer at a Soup Kitchen / Family Shelter.
These are many of the happenings which can teach you about the Reality of the Impoverished & the Disabled.
You might wish to volunteer at a VA Medical Center, where there is a need for volunteers, to bring inspiration to the Disabled Veterans & Their Family Members, who have need to be there, from time to time.
I wish you the best as you search for all that brings happiness & contentment your way.TF
References :
I was a student at college, when I began to volunteer for public associations, but as a young child, I was taught to be Kind to the Neighbors for they need Respect & Dignity for all they have contributed to Others, during their life time, meaning the elderly people, of course.