In the process of choosing a place to live in, you’ll have to consider numerous things, like features, furniture, amenities, etc. But it’s not only the house itself that you should be careful in choosing. You have to consider the neighbourhood and general surroundings, as well.
Probably the main determinants of a good neighbourhood are safety and security. But there are also several factors that go into choosing the right neighbourhood for you. Here are some things you should keep in mind when house-hunting.
Safety
The safety of a neighbourhood is a crucial consideration. You want to live somewhere you can have peace of mind, instead of having to worry about you and your family’s well-being every night.
When browsing for home and land packages in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs, make sure you had a look into each neighbourhood’s reputation when it comes to safety and security. Some important things to consider are the neighbourhood crime rate, neighbourhood watch, street lighting, etc.
The proximity of stores and establishments
When choosing a neighbourhood, you have to think about its proximity to essential establishments like convenience stores, groceries, restaurants, drug stores, etc. You’ll need to take a trip to these establishments often, so you have to make sure it’s convenient for you.
But it’s not only for the sake of convenience. Living close to these establishments will come in handy in case of emergencies like a storm, fire, or other natural calamities.
Daily commute
The availability of public transportation near the vicinity should be considered, especially if you don’t plan on driving to work every day. You need to make sure that the neighbourhood is reachable by public transport to guarantee your convenience in case you need to commute to work.
Community
Of course, you want to consider the culture within the particular neighbourhood you want to reside in. This will determine your relationship with your neighbours, as well as set the type of environment your children will grow up in (if you have any).
Look for information about a neighbourhood’s demographics, households, families, etc. so you can decide if it’s the place for you.
Schools
Choosing a neighbourhood in proximity to schools is not only important if you have children. In case you want to sell your house in the future, its accessibility to a school will affect the value of your home. In fact, a survey revealed that 91% of homebuyers find that school zones were an important factor when considering a house.
So, before deciding on your next neighbourhood, see if there are any educational institutions around. Do your research or visit the school yourself to help you make an informed decision.
Property taxes
A more practical factor to consider is the value of property taxes in a particular neighbourhood. You’ll want to consider the current tax rate and the shifts that came about in the last few years. Also, ask your realtor about the rate of increase and decrease in the next couple of years.
Doing so will help you determine if you can actually afford to live there, and whether or not it’s a good investment.
Looking for a new home to live in is a process where you need to take a lot of factors into consideration. It’s a huge decision, so make sure you know what you’re getting into.
