There are myriad factors to consider when determining where you should live. Work commutes, school districts, and the community vibe can vary drastically, even within the same zip code. But while you may have your heart set on a certain state or city, it’s time to get more specific when you’re looking to buy a new home. The neighborhood you choose to call home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the entire moving process. You don’t want to accidentally settle into a tourist hub or on a street you’ll soon realize is full of college party houses. There’s a reason why some neighborhoods are more popular than others. Just look at New York City, for example—Times Square is a renter's dead zone, while the West Village has people placing above asking bids just to secure an apartment. Not all neighborhoods are created equal, and it’s important to know what areas match your family’s lifestyle. According to recent data by real estate company Redfin, five of the 10 hottest neighborhoods (areas with much higher home sales than this time last year) are located on the outskirts of Midwestern metros, with buyers seeking affordability and an easy commute. Read on as we break down the 10 hottest neighborhoods in the country right now—from suburban oases to budding urban zip codes. Related StoriesProspect Heights and Clinton Hill, New YorkAuseklis//Getty ImagesWith their historic charm, good schools, and easy access to multiple transit lines, the Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill neighborhoods in Brooklyn, New York, are Park Slope’s more affordable cousins. Boasting a mix of new builds and old brownstones, there’s an ideal apartment for all family sizes in this area. New York Redfin Premier agent Ian Rubinstein explains that the boost in home sales is largely due to widespread return-to-office mandates. “Many companies now require workers to be in the office at least two to three days a week—so people are coming back. In my opinion, Brooklyn has become even more popular than Manhattan.” This area has the highest increase in sales, up a whopping 150 percent since last year. Taxes and mortgages are high in New York, but due to the higher-than-average incomes in this area, interest rates are less of a concern than in the Midwest.Jenison, Michigan A suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jenison is just 15 minutes from downtown. Here, home sales have risen 11 percent year-over-year, while time on the market has been cut by eight days. This indicates that demand is high and buyers are looking to move fast. Local Redfin Premier agent Christine Kooiker says, “Taxes are low, land is affordable, and the broader Georgetown Township is very open to new development. Every time I drive by, I see a new subdivision that’s half-finished.”Related StoryCampton Hills and St. Charles, IllinoisDawid S Swierczek//Getty ImagesFifty miles from downtown Chicago, the Campton Hills and St. Charles neighborhoods of Illinois have seen a 38 percent boost in home sales. Not only that, the budding cultural hub has also seen over 30 percent of homes sell for above the asking price. Homes here have an average price of $615,000. Great for families, this area has award-winning schools and beautiful parks, as well as access to nature. Fairpoint, New York Fairport, New York, is a small town just east of Rochester. With a population of merely 5,000, this area encompasses small-town charm with the convenience of being near a mid-sized city. Rochester is a booming area for those in the manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare industries. Home sales here have increased 48 percent since last year, with an astounding 81 percent of homes selling for above asking.Polk Gulch and Russian Hill, CaliforniaAlexander Spatari//Getty ImagesSan Francisco, CaliforniaLocated in the heart of San Francisco, the neighborhoods of Polk Gulch (also known as Nob Hill) and Russian Hill are drawing tech locals and families alike. “Many wealthy local and international tech workers—especially those in the booming AI sector—are looking to buy in these neighborhoods,” said local Redfin Premier agent Ali Mafi. “People keep saying ‘San Francisco’s back.’ The truth is: it never left.” Russian Hill is slightly slower-paced than the bustling Polk Gulch. The home sales may be down six percent, but views per listing are up 129 percent, indicating a newfound demand and interest in the area. Related StoryFranklin, WisconsinFranklin, Wisconsin, offers a family-oriented neighborhood to commuters or those working in the metro area a few days a week. This Milwaukee suburb is also close enough to Chicago to warrant a less frequent commute. Home sales here are up 29 percent with 40 percent of listings selling above average. “Franklin is not fully developed yet, so new construction is attracting buyers to the area. Many people are purchasing new builds because they can’t find a home for the right price closer to central Milwaukee. One of the defining characteristics of homes in Franklin is really big lots—a perk for buyers who are tired of living on top of their neighbors,” says local Redfin Premier agent Ben Ambroch. Great Kills, New YorkJaysonPhotography//Getty ImagesLocated on the Eastern coast of Staten Island, the Great Kills neighborhood has seen a 19 percent increase in home sales, with 35 percent of listings selling above asking. With direct beach access and a friendly community, this area is great for young families. This area is largely walkable, with everything you need within a few blocks, negating the need for a car. You also benefit from New York City’s robust public transportation system.Lakeville, Minnesota With beautiful natural views and an easy commute to Minneapolis, the neighborhood of Lakeville, Minnesota, is a popular locale for growing families. The school districts here are strong, as is the community. Again, home sales are down (a mere seven percent), and the time homes spend on the market is also down, indicating a high demand for properties in the area. “There aren’t enough homes for sale here in Lakeville, and that makes it really competitive—around 70 percent of sellers get multiple offers,” said Emily Olson, another local Redfin Premier agent. “We had clients put in an offer of $50,000 over asking recently, with a significant escalation clause, and they still lost out. Homes that are move-in ready get snapped up immediately.”Related StoryPrairie Village and Mission Hills, KansasTriggerPhoto//Getty ImagesPrairie Village and Mission Hills are two neighborhoods just 15 minutes away from downtown Kansas City—they are right on the Kansas-Missouri border. Here, home sales are down 19 percent, but similar to the San Francisco neighborhoods, median views per listing are way up (132 percent!), indicating a resurgence in interest and demand. These neighborhoods see a wide variety in home prices, from the mid-$300,000 to the millions. So when there is an affordable home here, consumers jump on it quickly—the average time on the market is just 21 days.Bowie, MarylandBowie, Maryland is an ideal neighborhood for commuters because both Annapolis, Maryland, and Washington D.C. are within a 30 to 40 minute drive from this suburb. Home sales in the area have seen a 31 percent increase since this time last year. According to the Redfin experts, Bowie may be the last district suburb that still has good housing deals, with the average home price being just above $512,000. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.