Deciding where to rent or buy a new home

The biggest question when it comes to buying or renting a house to live in is what location will suit you best. This will depend on many different factors including your situation and aims for the future. If you like the area you’re currently living in and have no new needs to account for, the question is a simple one to answer. On the other hand if you’re planning a new family or have a new job in a different city, you’ll need to carefully think about what you need from the location. Doing some research is essential even if you have a good knowledge of the area you live in.

One of the most important things to consider is the local amenities and whether these will suit your needs. How close is the house to a supermarket? Are there local bars, restaurants and other forms of entertainment? What are the schools in the area like? If you drive you’ll have more freedom to choose different areas, but if not you may need to consider how close houses are to public transport links.

Another thing to think about is the cost of living in an area including travel costs and council tax. If you’re looking at apartments or flats, you may be faced with service charges for cleaning public areas and general maintenance. Living costs will differ depending on the location you choose and also vary geographically. Make sure you look into these and do some calculations before you decide where you want to live.

A big part of the attractiveness of an area is the level of noise residents have to deal with. Some people love rural settings because they are much quieter but they must also take into account the likelihood of agricultural traffic and travelling needs. Urban settings are naturally noisier but some people enjoy being close to the action and being close to everything they need.

Yet another consideration is the people you want to be around. Do you want to live in an area with a lot of families, are you looking for a home where you will be surrounded by other students, or would you rather be amongst fellow professionals? Are you interested in living in an artistic community or will a quieter, neighbourly setting be more to your taste?

By taking the time to think about exactly what you want from an area you can make a choice you will be happy with. We can help you to find your perfect place to live in Bromley, Merton, Haringey or any other area of the capital, as well as providing property and estate management services.