1) One who lives in a town where there is a synagogue and does not go there to pray is called a “bad neighbor” as such is the way of bad neighbors that they do not enter the houses of their friends. This act causes exile for him and his children. On the other hand, one who arrives early in the synagogue in the morning and evening, merits long life. (Shulchan Aruch and Mishne Berurah 90)
2) One should arrive early in the synagogue so that he will be one of the first ten people to arrive, in which case he receives the same reward as all of them. If there are two synagogues in the town it is better to go to the one which is further away, so as to receive extra reward for the walking. (ibid)
