Choosing the right area to live in
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You could find your dream home but if
the area is not what you want then you will probably
never be content in your new home. It is crucial that
you find the right area before you even think about
looking for a home. There are a lot of things to take
into consideration when choosing an area such as crime,
neighbors etc.. Here are a list of things that you
should find out about before opting for an area.
Amenities
Have you got interests outside the home that you like
to do frequently? Maybe you like to do aerobics, got
to bingo or you like to go to the cinema. Maybe you don't
have any transport of your own and you need
to be close to local shops. You will need to think
about things that you can't live without and whether
the area has them.
Here are some things that you should
make a list of.
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Do the area have a busy high street and
do they have enough of the shops that are of interest
to you?
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How far is the nearest supermarket?
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Is there a big out of town shopping center
within reach?
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Is there a leisure center or gym to serve
the area?
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Are there enough parks for the children?
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Are there local youth clubs that your
children can join?
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Is there a local library?
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Is there a cinema? If not is there one in the surrounding areas?
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How far is the town center?
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Is there a local post office, newsagents,
butchers etc..? Basically, is there anything that forms
part of your life which would be difficult to do without?
If the answer is yes and giving it up would make you terribly
unhappy, then maybe it wouldn't be such a smart move.
Crime Very few people want to move into an
area with a high crime rate. The level of crime in an area
can have wide ranging effects, from making you uncomfortable
walking the streets, extremely wary of who your kids make
friends with, to being downright scared in your own home.
Crime can rip the soul out of a community and turn people's
lives upside down. There are obvious telltale signs to look
out for - graffiti scrawled on walls and shop shutters, smashed
windows, burnt out cars, crime is not always so obvious
in the evidence it leaves behind. Find out about the crime rate in any
area you are thinking of moving to. Check local newspapers,
ask residents, shopkeepers. Don't ask the seller they won't
give you an honest answer. How many houses are boarded up
or are up for sale?
Generally the house prices in an area that has a high crime
rate will be cheaper then that of its neighbors with little
or no crime. You can find out how much crime an area has
by using www.upmystreet.com This site also covers all aspects
of an area from, house prices, schools to finding a plumber
for that area.
Landscape
It can be worthwhile giving some consideration to the physical
appearance of the area in which you want to live. You don't
want to open your curtains on a morning to be greeted by
a over polluted factory. If you want to live in a city,
which most people do. You will still need clean air.
Find out the answers to questions such
as
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How built up is the area?
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How green is the environment?
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Are there plenty of parks and trees?
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Is the area clean?
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How quickly can you get from the area
out into the country? Is it near to the sea?
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Are there any factory's in or around
the area?
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Remember that certain industries have
factories that some people find pretty ugly and that create
unpleasant smells or noise. If you have no transport do you really
want to live in an area that has lots of hills.
What sort of factories are active in
the area?
Neighbors
There is no real way of knowing what the neighbors will
be like before you decide on a particular property. The
last thing you want is "neighbors from hell".
Most house owners keep themselves to themselves but it is
still a good idea to find out a little bit about your future
neighbors.
Ask the owner of the house you are interested in, if they
will introduce you to the neighbors. They may get on very
well and this might be a good sign. But just because they
get on doesn't mean you will get on. If the owner frowns
ask what is the matter with the neighbors. They might have
a running feud or they might simply not get on with one
an other. Visit the neighbors if you can you should
get an inkling whether or not you will like them.
As there is know real way of knowing
what the neighbors are going to be like, keep your eyes
open and be ready for anything that might a rise.
Transport
If you are looking for peace and quite it is no good moving
near an airport or a railway line. But if you haven't got
your own transport you will need a way of getting to and
from work, shops in a neighboring town etc..
Answer these questions and you will clarify your transport
needs
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How do you normally get around and will
you be able to do that in the new area?
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How easy will it be to get work?
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Are there cycle paths and footpaths?
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Can you easily get on to the motorway?
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Does there appear to be many taxi services
around?
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What is the local public transport like?
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Are there good bus services?
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Does there seem to be traffic problems?
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Is there a mainline train station nearby?
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What rail network does it connect you
to?
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Is it difficult to get to an International
airport?
Here are some useful tips on choosing
the right area If you are moving with your partner,
make sure you both go have the same ideas on where you want
to live or one or both of you will not be able to settle.
Visit the area during the day and night if you can.
See if you can spot many For Sale signs
if there are a lot of them on anything but a new development,
this can be a bad sign. Why is everyone leaving? Similarly, take note of the apparent
state of local businesses - are they run down, or does it
appear that investment is coming into the area?
Have a drink in one or two of the local pubs to test the atmosphere.
You might even get to know a few of the locals. |
