How do I figure out if a neighborhood is right for me?

Spend time there at different hours — Tuesday morning, Friday night, Sunday afternoon. Walk to the nearest grocery store, school, or transit. Read recent sold listings to understand the cadence of what's actually trading and at what price. Ask people in the neighborhood what they love and what would surprise a newcomer. The right home in the wrong neighborhood is the wrong home — neighborhood-fit comes first, before square footage and finishes.