Ask just about anyone living in the United states, and they’ll tell you how friendly the people are in the South. Especially true in a lot of small towns, and even some smaller cities, the inhabitants know each other, sometimes for decades. Even if you didn’t grow up there, the Southern people are welcoming and neighborly to anyone who moves in.
The American South encompasses many states, so choosing where to look for property can be a daunting task. To better help the decision-making process, decide if you want to live in the countryside, or if you want to live in a big city, like New Orleans, Louisiana. If you’re somewhere in the middle and want to live near a big city, like Houston, but enjoy a smaller town feel, try looking for new homes in Katy, TX, or similar places.
Once you’ve selected, see what areas offer property in your price range. Are you willing and/or able to pay more to get the features you want? Would you spend more to get the same-sized house to be in more exclusive area? Price may be the deciding factor for you if you don’t have an unlimited budget and are open to moving within a large area.
Research the locations you’re looking into before deciding on one. If you’re new to an area, especially as an expatriate, you may want to move somewhere with amenities close by. Checking for grocery stores, specialty food stores if you have a restrictive diet, religious centers, etc., can play a role in whether or not you’ll be comfortable moving to that area—even if you fall in love with a home there. If you’re a nature lover, you may want to live near a park or lake. If you’re into sports and recreation, you may want to be in a more mountainous region or live close to a boxing gym. While not directly related to your potential property, these are all important to your overall happiness in your new home.
Another element to consider when choosing a home in the American South is weather and natural disasters. Not all places in the South are hot at all times, but many places have warm weather and a subtropical climate. This can help save on heating costs, but you’ll also have to factor in the price of air conditioning if you find a home that doesn’t have that.
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and even earthquakes are all possible disasters that can happen in this region. Remember Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Or Hurricane Harvey in 2018? If you’re okay with the possibility of these events happening and want to live in an area where it’s likely to happen again, you should look for homes that have the best chance of surviving and invest in homeowner’s insurance.
After you’ve decided buying a new home is right for you, found a location, and have started looking for your new dream property, all that’s left is to team up with a local real estate agent to help you with the process. Then you can move on to making your new house feel like a home.
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