We’ve been living in a quiet part of Valencia, Spain, for almost two years. I knew where I wanted to be, but the prospect of moving the kids, the dog, and ourselves was daunting. Ultimately, though, it was time.

During our apartment search, I learned a few things.

1. If you want to be in the “it” neighborhood, you’d better be willing to pay “it” money or compromise on something you thought was a “must have.”

2. You don’t necessarily have to be in the neighborhood for it to be very accessible to you. A 10-minute walk is probably close enough for most people.

3. Stop looking once you’ve found “the one.” If you continue to look, you’ll question every decision you made about your new place.