Choosing the Right Neighbourhood

Published on July 3, 2018

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to buying your house is choosing the right neighbourhood. Where you choose to live and where your home is located determines how you live your lifestyle. It is also important relative to the statistics of the area, such as crime rate and population, but other important factors as well, including schools, the people in the community, and how easy it is for you to get to and from work based on your location. As you get ready to purchase a house, consider these important factors about the location to help make sure you choose the best neighbourhood for your new home.

Access to Resources and Services

Most urbanized neighbourhoods will have quick access to services and resources such as grocery stores, post office, banks, and drug stores, many which you can walk to from your property. If you are thinking about moving to a more rural community however, this may not be the case, and you may have to travel much farther for basic things like your weekly grocery shopping. Likewise, live more rurally and you will struggle for access to public transit, whereas in an urbanized location, you may be able to opt for taking the bus or train instead of driving. These are all important factors to consider as you choose where the home is located.

The People within the Community

Before you commit to owning a home in a certain community, do some basic research into the statistics of the demographic breakdown of the area. For example, if you have two young kids and are hoping to have other families nearby, the local census statistics will be able to let you know the median age of the neighbourhood and the average family size. If most of the community dwellers are young and single, or older and in retirement, it may not be the ideal place to raise a family if you were hoping for the family interaction option. Likewise, demographic data will indicate the growth that is occurring in the town, which could be a good indication as to whether or not to expect growth in the neighbourhood services and amenities being offered.

How it Feels to Call it Home

Lastly, do not forget that you are making this neighbourhood your new home. Visit the space, drive around, stop and walk around and see how it feels. You want the location to be warm and inviting and make you feel like it is a place that you could call home and can see yourself living in happily for the years to come. If it does not feel right, or you show up and do not like what you see, it may not be the place for you, and that is totally okay!