1. Budget: While not the most glamorous or exciting part about home buying, deciding on a realistic budget is one of the most important. High cost-of-living areas may be prohibitively expensive for you to buy a home. If becoming a homeowner is a top priority, look at cities and neighborhoods that have plenty of choices in your budget.

2. Your Home Needs: If you have a large family or pets, maybe a good yard and great schools are on the top of your list. If you prefer not the own a car, proximity to public transportation will be a must-have for you. Make a list of these needs and look for neighborhoods that have the right style of home and community for you.

3. Weather: If you are an outdoor enthusiast and want to be able to spend time year-round enjoying nature, that will probably impact the locations that you should consider living. Think about what kind of hobbies you want to pursue and if there are any weather conditions that would prohibit them. Then avoid areas that have a lot of that kind of weather.

Once you have an idea where you may want to look, consider taking a vacation there to try it out. If you can rent a home in a neighborhood, that can give you the best insight into how it would be to live there. Even going for a weekend, afternoon, or long walk can give you a good idea if you want to look for a home in that location or keep looking for a new neighborhood altogether. You may even meet a few potential neighbors to help give you insight as well!