4 quality-of-life amenities to look for when house hunting

(StatePoint) — Curb appeal is important, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of house hunting. By factoring in other priorities, such as great schools, a community feel, and nearby amenities that improve your quality of life, you can feel right at home in your new neighborhood from the moment you arrive.

“Many families want it all — the connection that comes with a small town feel and the bustle and energy of shopping, dining, and culture,” says Blake Gable, CEO of Barron Collier Companies, the real estate development firm behind Ave Maria, a 5,000-acre community in Southwest Florida.

With the understanding that many families desire to work, live, learn and recreate all in one place, master-planned communities such as Ave Maria have grown in popularity in Florida, and often include residential neighborhoods, schools, town centers with shopping and dining, office space, business parks and recreational amenities.

Keyed into what neighborhood features foster community and enhance the quality of life, Gable is sharing five quality-of-life amenities to look for while house hunting:

1. A community feel

If you’d like your neighbors to be more than just strangers who happen to live close by, a master-planned community may be the right style of living for you. In many such communities, there are more golf carts and bikes than cars, creating a friendly atmosphere where it’s easy to stop, chat and catch up with neighbors-turned-friends. Such self-sustained communities often have sports fields, dog parks, nature paths, active events calendars, and social clubs. Whether it’s photography, bird watching or pickleball, you can nurture your interests while meeting new people.

2. Healthy living

The right neighborhood for your family is one built for a healthy lifestyle. Find out whether your prospective new neighborhood has achieved Blue Zones Project certification. This pioneering health initiative is helping communities commit to improving the well-being of residents by offering them opportunities to move naturally, eat better, develop social circles, and live purposefully.

3. A town center

A neighborhood with a town center blends big-town convenience with a small-town connection. Merchants are not just businesses, they are neighbors, too, so you don’t have to leave the neighborhood to find all the shopping and services you need, from supermarkets, restaurants and boutiques to spas, salons and doctors.

4. Top-notch schools

Check out local, state and national rankings, visit school websites, and connect with parents to learn their perspectives.

As you search for a home, consider narrowing your search to neighborhoods that offer a community atmosphere and a healthy, friendly lifestyle.