Shul shopping is quite different for singles, married with young kids,retired……….
It’s about:
What nusach/tradition they daven
What is the seating like
What classes are offered? To whom, by whom, when
Do they have a social hall, classrooms, mikveh
Do they have a cemetery
How much are dues?
What does that include? Tickets, plots, yahrzeit notices (or do they nickel and dime you to death? I prefer paying one fee that covers everything for the year.
Are there active auxiliary organizations? Youth group, mens club, sisterhood, Chevra kedisha, bikur cholim society
You have to attend a number of services, functions, and meet rabbi, members before you can say yes.
Saying no may occur after a few minutes. The first time Mrs. CTL attended services in the shul closest to our first home, she left after 10 minutes. When I arrived home for lunch she told me that she was unable to hear a single word from the bima while seated in the balcony.
We tried 5 or 6 other shuls before finding one that made us both comfortable and met our needs.