Interesting Washington Post article about checking transportation costs in the area you are considering to purchase a home. They refer to a site developed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) which developed a “Housing + Transportation Affordability Index”:
It’s a map-based tool offering information on housing and transportation costs for 52 metropolitan areas, …. You can zoom in on individual neighborhoods and pull up U.S. Census information on the percentage of neighborhood residents who use mass transit, their average monthly spending on transportation, the number of wage-earners and cars per household, and other data.
The website includes data for Phoenix-Mesa. As noted in the article, the site is a bit outdated, relying on 2000 census data. It does not factor in the run-up in gas costs. But it provides relative cost information to help you find areas that may be more affordable for you. Not to mention mapping of other interesting demographic data. Be sure to click on the “Advanced” theme selection to access the complete list of mapping choices.
For any potential home location you are considering, you should look at how long it may take to commute to work and other destinations you need to get to. Take test drives during rush hour (or your typical travel times), or ride the local public transportation to estimate costs in both time and money. Factor these costs into your monthly housing budget.
Considering transportation costs into your home search will help you avoid unpleasant surprises after you’ve moved into your new home.
Copyright © 2008 Rod Rebello
www.TempeAgentNews.com
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