If you are thinking about moving house, choosing the right location is vital to ensure you enjoy your new home – now and in the future.
And moving house is no mean feat, so making the right choice of location is essential.
There are many factors to consider when buying a property, depending on your and your family’s individual needs. If you have children, or think you might in the not-so-distant future, being near a good school might be one of your key considerations.
Meanwhile, if you need to commute to work, being near a motorway or train station might be crucial. However, if you work from home you might want to be located near coffee shops or a park for when you need to take a break from the screen.
But in some cases, you may need to compromise on what you see as essential to stay within your budget.
Figures show properties listed within half a mile of a train station sell for more money than similar properties further away from stations in 60% of the UK’s regions, meaning they will be more expensive.
And 23.46% of train stations in the UK increased the value of nearby properties by 1% or more.
Meanwhile, Government research carried out in 2017 shows that houses close to the best-performing schools cost more. According to the data, properties near the best 10% of primary schools were 8% more expensive than those in surrounding areas, and 6.8% more expensive near the 10% best performing secondary schools.
But beyond the practicalities, you also need to think about your livelihood and preferences. For example, if you play golf every weekend, or attend a sports club, you may deem it important to have access to these. Meanwhile – if you’re religious, it may be essential to be close to your place of worship.
We have rounded up some things you consider before moving house.
Schools
Research the quality and Ofsted ratings of schools in the area, including ratings, reviews, and academic performance. Also, don’t forget to consider the distance to schools and the ease of commuting for your children.
Think about whether you will need to drive them to get there and how this will fit around your own arrangements, such as getting to work on time. Also, if your children like going to an after-school club such as a sports team, query about what’s on offer.
Public transport
Look into the presence of public transport in your area – especially if you heavily rely on this to get around. Can you walk to a bus stop or train station? And how regular are the services?
Amenities
Consider how close you will be to supermarkets, town centres or shopping centres – especially if you don’t drive. Also research how close you are to a doctor’s surgery, hospitals or pharmacies.
Meanwhile, if you’re a regular gym-goer, is there one that you like near you? Or if you’re into a particular sport, will this be affected in any way?
Accessibility
If you can’t get to work by public transport, you might rely on driving. However, you should check out the accessibility to your new property – including access to a motorway or road network to ensure that your work commute isn’t going to be a nightmare. You should also
Things to do
If getting out and about, to nice restaurants, the cinema or cultural attractions is important to you, you may find it beneficial to ensure you are within reach of these attractions.
Meanwhile, if you have a particular hobby, such as an evening class or sports group it may be important to you to ensure you are within reach of continuing that.
Additionally, if you are religious, it may be essential for you to be close to your place of worship, especially if you visit regularly.
Expense
Think about house or rental prices and look outside the box to fit into your budget. For example, you might have your heart set on living in a certain town, but by expanding your radius by just three or five miles, you might get a lot more for your money in a neighbouring area.
Taking these factors into account will help you choose a new home that meets your needs and enhances your quality of life.
Further reading
Purchases – Oakwood Property Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
To make a start on the next step in your property journey, get in touch today to book a consultation with a member of our team. Call us on 0113 218 5727 to find out how we can help you.
