After moving around North America—in her youth, and for various acting gigs—Minka Kelly knows a thing or two about what sets a good neighborhood apart from the rest. She recently partnered with Trulia to launch their Best Neighborhoods in America tool, which will help users find their dream home. We sat down with Mika to talk about house hunting, unruly neighbors, and what makes her best neighborhood. Read on:
Glamour: I know you were born in Los Angeles but then moved around a lot as a child. Where have you lived beside L.A.? Which place was your favorite?
Minka Kelly: I lived in Austin for four years, and that's definitely my favorite place that I've ever lived. It's such a great city because of the culture. The people there are great, the music scene is great, and there's actually more water and lakes in Austin than you'd ever believe. It's just a great quality of life. Every weekend you go to your friends house and you wakeboard and barbecue and go see some music. It was just super ideal.
Glamour: That must have been hard to leave. What do you love most about your current neighborhood?
MK: I love that I'm surrounded by nature. I live in the hills so in order to go on a hike I just walk outside my front door. It makes it hard to have any excuses to not work out!
Glamour: Sounds ideal! What don't you like about your current neighborhood?
MK: Well the reason I'm moving is because to do anything or go anywhere I have to get in my car, unless I'm going on a hike, and I'd rather be able to walk places. I'd like to be able to walk to the coffee shop or the dog park with my dogs, so I am definitely looking for that.
Glamour: Have you run into any obstacles house hunting so far?
MK: Not this time, but the last time I learned that natural lighting is really important to me. I didn't pay attention to the fact that the house I'm currently in, during the day it had all the lights on, and that usually means there's not a lot of natural light. But I was just so excited to get my first house and I loved that I could get it in this neighborhood. But I've learned my lesson.
Glamour: What's been the easiest part of house hunting?
MK: Well Trulia has been really helpful. I learned how important school zones are for resell value, even if you don't have kids, it's smart home buying if you plan on selling it again. Trulia has also made it easier for me to see the area and make sure I'm close to dog parks and restaurants and they've helped me learn about the crime rate and history of the area.
Glamour: That's important! When you were a child, where did you picture yourself living as an adult?
MK: When I was a child I don't think I pictured myself ending up in L.A., because I actually have a soft spot for the woods. I lived in Vancouver for a year and I really loved being able to go for hikes surrounded by big trees. I think one day I'll end up somewhere on the East Coast because I love the foliage so much. I definitely prefer trees and forest over desert or a beach.
Glamour: You probably wouldn't have as many neighbors if you lived somewhere near a forest. Have you ever had a terrible neighbor?
MK: It's funny, someone actually just moved in next door to me they put a trampoline on the other side of the wall of my outdoor deck. It used to be really quiet all day and now—luckily it's the best sound in the world hearing children laughing and jumping up and down on a trampoline—but it's no longer quiet!
Glamour: Ha-ha, sounds noisy! If you could choose your neighbors, dead or alive, anyone in history, who would you want to live on either side of you?
MK: David Foster Wallace and my mother.
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