Jamie,
I think Alek is on to something. While location is critical, the first step is education, education, education!
Not only is it critical to "test drive" the commute, learn about schools, or see if there is a highway coming through the backyard, the basics of renting, buying, selling, insuring, borrowing, and maintaining are important steps before making any housing decision. I call this "housing literacy".

It largely depends on where you are in life and the sort of life (lifestyle) you wish to have.

As to which of ALL of those things takes primacy for MOST.. it is by default the traditional concerns of the fifteen years most families enrolled in schools. School selection will push families to allow all sorts of compensation in other aspects of their life.

Moving to that safe secure and generally boring suburb before you have kids who need the amenities tends to imply that you gravitate to the boring in general. Staying there after the kids are grown can be chalked up to inertia and social ties but it's probably cause you became boring; if you weren't boring to begin with.

Sorry, but I have to go off on a tangent, here.

So, what is "boring"? Isn't it rather subjective?

I live in boredom central right now, because what I would call fantastic urban life doesn't exist for me in the city, here. We initially moved into the "arts and culture" district, and found it underwhelming. I've worked in Europe (I prefer Amsterdam and Madrid--two great centers of "boring"). I'm going to take "boring" for now because it provides a modicum of quiet comfort for the time being. We have no children yet (and won't while we live in Maryland), and live with a number of retired individuals and couples who also led some very colorful lives.

This is not meant to critize those who live in Baltimore City for the city life. I have friends and former neighbors who legitimately love their city and what it provides for them. It's all subjective in the end.

Just for you laura:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boring,_Maryland

I'll say that depending on where you are in life, those home factors will differ. Younger people will more than likely prefer social life and older more established people with families will look towards education and ways to spend more time with family. Please don’t get offended by the "older" vs "younger" talk. I'm speaking generally.

This is a good discussion because it hits the core of what people will sacrifice for and what they will not. The main thing when looking for location is finding that life/work balance. The problem occurs when you are forced to work in a certain area (like DC) and don’t find any of your “wants” and “needs” for a reasonable prices, which is where the long commute discussion comes in.

I voted for "Safety" as a general term for low crime and healthy environment (e.g. no highway in the backyard). If I can't feel safe in my own home/community, the schools and commute don't really matter.

Sorry, Jelena, I should have specified that I didn't include safety as a factor because I know that's very important to everyone. (I ended up not explaining because everything on the list was a locational sort of thing -- "close to X" or "access to Y.")

No question, safety matters.

Close to work & Good School are hand and in my book. Usually when you combine those two many of the other things you listed come with it. I could have bought the same hose a few miles dow the road for $150K less then I paid for my house but the school were inferior. I could have paid for private school with the savings but the neighborhood was much better where I bought. Usually close to work is #1 but many people will serach for the best schools within that area and when you buy in an area with great schools......usually you'll end up with all of the other things you listed.

Jamie, I know you left the "other" option for just this purpose, but what about "Away from people" or "In the country" or "Undeveloped area"

Oh, good idea, Kevin -- I included a lot of "near stuff" options but didn't think to offer a "not near stuff" choice.

Exclusive neighborhood, though I put access to parks.

Unfortunately I am one of those snooty people.