What To Look For In A New Neighborhood
Photo by Dillon Kydd on Unsplash
When you’re moving home with your family, you want to be sure that you’re moving to an area that’s going to suit your needs both now and in the future.
Crime Rates
When looking for real estate for sale, you want to research the areas on your shortlist thoroughly. A good place to start is to look at the crime rates in the area. All areas have some levels of crime, but check out the stats against the national average to see if it should start ringing alarm bells for you.
Schools & Childcare
The school you choose for your child can have a profound effect on the rest of their lives. Look at the league tables for the schools in the area you’re thinking of moving to. Join some local Facebook pages and ask the parents on their for their opinions of the schools and teachers.
If you’re working, you’ll also need to access wrap-around childcare for your kids before and after school. Look for local experienced and registered childminders who offer this service as well as ad-hoc babysitting.
Some parents hire tutors to help their kids reach their potential or improve their grades. Check local listings for tutors in different topics that you might need in the future.
Doctors & Dentists
Good healthcare is a must. Finding a primary care physician that’s in your insurance network is a good step, then do your research into the practice. Is it open at convenient times? Do they offer video or telephone consultations? What are the qualifications of the people working there?
Finding a dentist should also be high on your list of priorities. It can either be near your home or work, whichever is most convenient for you.
If you or anyone else in your family have any particular medical conditions or dental needs, then you are going to want peace of mind that these can be treated without having to travel too much. Contact medical practices in the areas and see if they specialize or have experience in managing your condition.
Entertainment
There’s more to life than school and work. Once you’re done for the day you’re going to want to get some much-needed downtime. Check out the local area for cinemas, theatres, clubs, and restaurants. Find out what there is to do for the kids too. Waterparks, arcades, bowling, kids clubs are a great way for your kids to blow off steam and enjoy themselves.
Clubs & Groups
Clubs are a great way to take up a hobby and meet new people when you move to an area. They usually meet up in a local hall or meeting room and can involve just about anything you can think of. From book club to karate, you’re bound to be able to find something that interests you. Clubs are good for both adults and kids and can really help you fit into a new environment.
Shopping
Groceries, clothes, retail therapy, shopping facilities are important when deciding where to live. How far is it to the nearest store if you need a carton of milk? Most shopping can be done online these days but it’s good to have the opportunity to physically go shopping as well.
If you’re moving to an area that’s a little off the beaten track, check to make sure that you can get groceries delivered to that area.
Commuting Routes
Transport links will be vital if you travel a lot for work, or don’t have a car. You’ll want to know what kind of public transport services there are in the area. Are they reliable, are they expensive?
If you travel internationally, you’ll want to know that there is an airport fairly close to you, or that there are some direct routes to it.
Making sure that you can move freely around your new areas in addition to being accessible to friends and family from out of town is important.
Look Out For Any Major Future Developments
The research you do on an area is only a snapshot of the entire picture. Find out what kinds of features and developments have been planned or approved. New shopping facilities or entertainment developments can improve the areas and property prices, while finding out sewage works is about to be built near your know home can have the opposite effect. Huge new housing developments can also have an effect on the local down in both positive and negative ways. Too many new people in a place can put pressure on local services, but can also drive investment too.
Conclusion
It’s so important to pick the right area for you and your family when moving. Choosing the wrong area can be a very costly mistake to put right. Arm yourself with all the research before you make any decisions.
Kori
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