Choosing the Right Neighbourhood: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Buy

The right home in the wrong area rarely feels right for long. Use these nine questions to judge any neighbourhood, anywhere in the world.

You can renovate a kitchen, but you can't renovate a street. Location shapes your daily life and the long-term value of your home more than any other factor. Before you commit, work through these nine questions.

Everyday life

• How long is the journey to work, school or the airport at rush hour?
• Can you walk to a café, grocery store and park?
• Is it lively at night, or quiet? Which do you want?

Long-term value

• Are new transport links, schools or developments planned?
• How quickly do homes sell here compared with nearby areas?
• Is there a good mix of owners and long-term residents?

Hidden details

• Is the area prone to flooding, noise or heavy traffic?
• What are local property taxes and service charges?
• How does it feel on a rainy Tuesday, not just a sunny Saturday?

Visit twice: once as a buyer, once as someone who already lives there.

Our advisors live in the cities where they work and can give you an honest view of every street. Ask us for a neighbourhood guide for any of our destinations.