This Is My Single Biggest Priority When Choosing a Neighborhood

I am hoping to buy a house soon. This isn't the first property I'll buy. In fact, I've purchased both a primary home and a vacation home, and I've moved several times so I have bought a few different places.  

After spending over a decade as a homeowner, I've come to clearly define my priorities when looking for properties. When I look for houses to buy now, there's one thing I consider above all else before I'm willing to get a mortgage loan and make an offer. Here's what it is.

This is my No. 1 criteria for homes I'm interested in

As I look for houses, the most important thing I am considering is the location where the property is. Specifically, I have some very detailed demands for where I want my house to be located. I want the house to be:

• In a safe area so I don't have to worry about my kids playing outdoors
• In an area where we can walk to parks, restaurants, and other activities
• In a place where I can get to the majority of places I want to go without having to sit in traffic for long periods
• In an area with a good school district 
• On a lot where I do not have rear neighbors

All of these things are essential for me to be able to enjoy living in a house. I've learned this over time as I've had bad experiences with noisy neighbors located behind my house, and have had even worse experiences buying a property in a high-traffic area. The delays were so bad, I didn't even want to leave the house half the time. 

A good school district is also important to me, both because I have children who may attend school there some day and because I know that parents care about this issue -- so a good district is essential to maintaining property values. 

Why location is so important to me 

Location is my No. 1 priority over other issues such as what the house looks like inside because location is the one feature of a home that absolutely cannot be changed. I can't pick up my house and move it elsewhere because the traffic is bad, and I can't make rear neighbors disappear even if I really don't like them. 

Things like a daily commute and the ability to get to stores and restaurants easily will have a much greater impact on my ability to enjoy my life than things like an updated kitchen or a luxury spa-like master bath. These types of home features may seem attractive at first glance, but you usually get used to them over time. And a dated bath or a kitchen with older cabinets isn't likely to be a constant annoyance like sitting in traffic for hours would be.

While that's not to say I don't also want a pretty house if I can find it, location will always be the biggest deal breaker -- and I'd rather have a less perfect home in an ideal location.  

Ultimately, every home buyer needs to set their own priorities. But, I firmly believe location should be No. 1 for most people due to the profound impact it can have on every other aspect of your life.