One of the most important deciding factors when buying a new property is the location. If you’re planning on moving to a new area, finding the right place to live can be particularly difficult, as you need to establish whether it has everything you want and need to live happily there. In this blog, we look at a number of different factors you should consider when making your choice.
Transport links
You’ll want to consider how easy it is to get around from your new home. If you commute to work using public transport, how easy will the journey be? Where is the nearest train station and bus stop and how frequent are the services you’re likely to need? You may also want to consider how much transport is going to cost you from a specific area and factor this into your decision. For example, you could choose to live further out of the city but end up paying more for your train ticket than you would if you spent more to live closer.
Schools and nurseries
If you have children, or are planning to have them in the future, you’ll want to consider the quality of schools and nurseries in the local area. The UK government’s website has data relating to school performances, including the ability to view their full Ofsted reports, so you can do your research. You may also be able to find articles, parent opinions and league tables online. If you’re interested in one of our new luxury homes in Westerham, we’ve done the hard work for you in our blog on the best schools in the area.
Local amenities
The proximity of local amenities you require will depend on your preferred mode of transport. If you’re a driver, you may be happy to live further away from a big supermarket, whereas, if you don’t have a car, you are likely to need it much closer. Similarly, you should consider how close you want to be to healthcare services like your local GP, pharmacy and hospital, as well as other local services, such as the post office and library.
Entertainment
Is it important to you that there’s plenty to do on your doorstep? If you’re someone who enjoys eating out, you might want to live somewhere with a variety of good restaurants and pubs. If you’re a gym enthusiast, it might be important for you to have a local leisure centre nearby, or, if team sports are more your style, you may want to check which sports clubs are available. These can also be a great way to socialise and make new friends if you’re new to an area. It’s also worth looking at what there is to do further afield – for example, how easy would it be to take a day trip to the nearest beach or National Trust property?
Green spaces
If you’re someone who likes to spend time in the great outdoors, or your family includes a four-legged friend, the proximity of parks, woodlands and green spaces to your new home will likely be an important deciding factor in where to move. For young families, a park can also provide plenty of entertainment for kids without having to travel far. Many areas of South East London have lots of excellent parks in the vicinity, we explored some of the best ones near our Cardinal Square development in Petts Wood here.
Keep up to date with all our latest news and views on social media – we’re on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
