How do I choose a neighbourhood to live in?

Moving to a new neighbourhood can be exciting and stressful at the same time. You probably already have a checklist of what your dream home entails, but it's just as important to pick the right neighbourhood as it is to find the perfect house or apartment to call home.

Your ideal neighbourhood should be a safe place with low crime rates and a thriving area with good people. You should also be close to schools, shopping complexes, and other conveniences.

If you aim to live in a more desirable neighbourhood, here's how you can choose the best neighbourhood to live in:

• Analyse the safety of the neighbourhood

When searching to buy a home, the safety of a neighbourhood is perhaps the most crucial consideration, especially if you have children.

One way of analysing neighbourhood safety is to check the crime data. You can find them in the city's criminal reports or by contacting the local police station. You can also look via Google's news section for any criminal stories making headlines. It could be a red flag if you detect a lot of activity.

Neighbourhood watches are also an indication that the house is located in a secure area. Look for a street sign designating a neighbourhood watch zone, or contact your real estate agent to inquire with the owners of the home you're considering purchasing.

Remember to talk to the neighbours. They will be able to inform you whether or not they believe the area is safe. You can even take a drive at night to observe if there are any loitering, noisy neighbours, or if the street lights work. 

• Research the school district

Whether you have children or want to have them soon, finding a good school district is something many families look for when deciding where to live.

Visiting a potential school can also help you determine whether or not a particular neighbourhood is right for you. You don't want to live in a nice home while your child attends a failing school. Check out the pass rate as well as the extracurricular activities offered by the schools in the area.

If you want your child to have a strong foundation in science, the arts, literature, sports, or religious instruction, you should find an area with a school that offers these subjects. You don't want to travel a long distance daily for your child to receive the best possible education.

• Explore the amenities offered in the neighbourhood

Checking out the advantages that a neighbourhood has to offer is a terrific idea. You might wish to go for a drive or a walk about the neighbourhood to look for parks, medical centres, sports facilities, and other areas of interest.

If you value convenience, you might want to choose a neighbourhood that is close to where you will be doing most of your errands.

Remember to look around the area for your favourite takeaways. They'll come in handy on days when you don't feel like cooking.

• Inquire about property values in the neighbourhood

The area in which you choose to live has an impact on the value of your home in the future. One of the primary factors that can influence property price appreciation or depreciation is location.

Inquire with your real estate agent about recently sold homes in the area and current property values. This will also assist you in determining whether or not a potential home or apartment is overpriced.

The value of a property could be affected by future developments in the neighbourhood. If a more upscale development is in the works, your property's value may rise. Your home's value will suffer as a result of any undesirable developments.

Are you looking for the best neighbourhood in the Upper Highway area? Get in touch with Seeff Hillcrest & Kloof today. Our agents are area experts who will assist you in making your property dreams a reality.