Move On It: Finding a Hot Neighborhood
Trying to get in on an up-and-coming neighborhood before it gets big? The signs are clear—all you have to do is keep your eyes open for some of these big changes.
![Couple hugging outside of train](https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cool-neighborhood-intext.jpg)
Catch a ride
Improvements in transportation—mostly in public transit—are a marker of an uptick in residents. As a neighborhood grows, so too does the need for increased mobility for its inhabitants.
![Mother and daughter shopping in grocery store](https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cool-neighborhood-intext2.jpg)
Setting up shop
Large corporations won’t simply open a store just anywhere. Retail and wholesale giants like Walmart are a good indicator that there is about to be a population surge, or at least that a town is not going downhill anytime soon.
![People in office working together](https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cool-neighborhood-intext3.jpg)
Back to work
People will always gravitate to where there are jobs. A healthy employment rate can also be a good sign that, even if the population isn’t booming yet, there should be plenty of people moving in soon.
![Couple sitting in window of restaurant](https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cool-neighborhood-intext4.jpg)
An eclectic menu
A trendy restaurant has a knack for bringing in not only locals but also out-of-towners who will spread the word. Pretty soon, other hip businesses open up and, before you know it, the town is full of cultural attractions.
![Stack of one dollar bills](https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cool-neighborhood-intext5.jpg)
The cost of being cool
Generally speaking, as a neighborhood becomes more in demand, the cost of living will increase. Rising rent, increasing home prices, and price hikes in surrounding stores are a gauge that an area is on the rise.
![Couple talking with a real estate agent](https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cool-neighborhood-intext6.jpg)
In the know
Before doing the work yourself, talk to a local real estate agent who’s knowledgeable about the area. This can help you understand the rise and fall of the market as a whole, helping you move into your dream area before it gets too expensive.