Spend time in the neighborhoods you're looking to settle down in to make sure they jibe with your lifestyle and needs, recommended homebuyer Lisa Tanner.

She made the move from the Los Angeles area to the San Bernardino Mountains earlier this year. She purchased the home along with her daughter.

Visit the local coffee shop and grocery stores, talk to neighbors, have dinner in the area and visit the types of places you frequent now to get a real feel for the neighborhood, she suggested.

"Get to know if your people are around there, if you can make friends in the area."

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