Whether you are looking for a vacation condo in the heart of Jackson or a sprawling estate outside of town, make sure you do some research before you start your hunt for the ideal property. To get you started, we put together these 10 questions to help you narrow down which Jackson Hole neighborhood is right for you.

1. What is your budget?

Before you imagine yourself in a 3-bedroom home with panoramic views, make sure you establish a reasonable budget so you don’t fall in love with a neighborhood that’s outside your range. For example, if you want seclusion, and are looking for a budget-friendly location, Hoback Junction is an affordable option. Not quite ready to take the plunge into a major purchase? Consider a condo at Teton Pines or near downtown.

2. Do you have a family?

If you have children or plan on having children in the near future, there are different factors to consider. Research neighborhood schools to discover if they are well-matched to your family’s needs. Test scores are important, but they only tell part of the story. Are other families satisfied? What do they say about the schools? You’ll also want to consider things like the proximity of parks, walking trails, recreational activities, and the amount of street traffic.

Some family-friendly neighborhoods in Jackson Hole include downtown and South of Town areas like Rafter J, Cottonwood Park and Melody Ranch.

3. What community amenities are important?

If access to a wide variety of community amenities is important to you, then you have plenty of Jackson neighborhoods to choose from. Shooting Star, Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis, and 3 Creek Ranch are all golf course adjacent communities that offer residents access to tennis courts, swimming, fitness centers, and clubhouses.

4. What type of home appeals to you?

There are a range of single family homes in communities outside of town such as Wilson, and the subdivisions south of town. If a smaller home appeals to you, check out neighborhoods closer to the heart of the city. If you are looking for a condo, consider Teton Village or The Aspens. For larger homes with million dollar views, check out 3 Creek, Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis and Spring Creek/Amangani.

5. How much space do you need?

Your lifestyle, the size of your family, and your future needs are all factors to take into account when determining the size of your home and property. If you are looking for a larger property, there are areas outside of town with large parcels of 5+ acres.

6. How do you spend your leisure time?

From skiing to hiking, biking, fishing and watersports, Jackson is adventure central. When looking for the right neighborhood, think about how you spend most of your leisure time. Love to hike in the summer? Want to be right next to the slopes? Do you love the arts and want close access to restaurants? Is walkability to downtown important?

7. Will this be your primary residence or vacation home?

If you plan on using your property as a vacation home, it’s possible that you may want to rent it out for the remainder of the year. The Aspens and Teton Pines are two areas to strongly consider since they are regulated to allow short term rentals.

8. New build or older home?

While there are plenty of new builds to choose from, there are also plenty of excellent homes in established neighborhoods. With a new build, it’s likely you’ll get exactly the amenities you want, and you won’t have to worry about home improvements for at least a few years. Buying in a more established neighborhood close to town offers its own advantages like easy access to restaurants and galleries, and more stable home values.

9. How close is too close?

Looking for privacy? Choose an area with a little more room to breathe. Locations like Wilson, Shooting Star, 3 Creek and Kelly are a great choice if you are looking for a more secluded environment.

10. What are your non-negotiables?

Many people enter into the home buying process with wish lists a mile long. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment. Make sure you have a firm understanding of what is a “must have” versus a “nice to have”.

After you have determined the answers to these questions, then it’s time to zero in on the area. The next step is to choose a few neighborhoods that have the characteristics that are most important to you. If possible, visit each neighborhood to get a feel for them. Do you like the views? How is the neighborhood laid out? What about traffic? This process should give you a much more realistic picture of which area is the best match for you.

If you need additional help identifying the ideal neighborhood in Jackson Hole, we can help. The Prugh Real Estate team has in-depth knowledge of the region, with more than two decades of experience living and working in Teton County.