13 July 2023
Moving to a new area can be daunting, which is why we’ve compiled a list of important factors to consider before making your decision.
You’re buying a home in a new area – what now?
It’s a really good idea to start by making a list of the things you like about where you currently live. Then consider what you enjoy doing in your leisure time and make a note of all the things that make your life easier (this could include things like good transport links and having local shops within walking distance).
Once you’ve put your list together, you can split it into your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Examples of must-haves might be good schools or an easy commute to work, while nice-to-haves might include things like places to eat within walking distance or a good local leisure centre. Taking the time to really think about your life and your priorities will help you work out whether a new area ticks all your boxes.
To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of factors you might want to consider.
Parks and green space
For a lot of people, especially families with young children, easy access to parks and green space is going to be essential.
Good transport links
If you travel a lot or commute to work, access to A roads and good public transport links could be play a key part in your decision making.
Local amenities
It’s always worth exploring what the area has to offer in terms of amenities. Even idyllic, country living needn’t be at the expense of having a good selection of local shops and facilities available to take care of your everyday needs.
Good schools
For families with young children (or those that plan to have children in the future), doing research on local schools is a must. It’s important to make sure your new home will fall within the catchment area of schools that meet your requirements.
Eating and drinking
While this could be considered a nice-to-have, many people might feel that having a choice of good local pubs, restaurants and coffee shops vastly enhances their quality of life. If you’re someone who enjoys dining out and socialising with friends, it could be worth checking to see whether the local area caters to that.
Leisure activities
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Watching a film on the big screen? Playing sports at the local leisure centre? Enjoying a bit of retail therapy? Whatever it might be, make sure your new area gives you the chance to do what you love.
