Moving abroad: How to choose your new neighbourhood

It’s going to require a lot of research and a little bit of investigation but choosing the best neighbourhood will make your move to a new country a lot more bearable.

Step 1: Imagine your perfect neighbourhood

Take your family into consideration when imagining your ideal neighbourhood – do you have school-age children or someone who needs regular medical care? Bear in mind that you will need to compromise on some aspects but having a good idea of what your needs are will help you make the best decision for you and your family.

Step 2: Picture your perfect type of house

If apartment living is your ideal type of dwelling, research neighbourhoods that have several apartment blocks to choose from. If you prefer a house, accept that you will most likely live outside the city, and determine if this will suit your lifestyle.

Step 3: Decide whether or not you are happy to commute

The location of your new neighbourhood will largely depend on your willingness to commute daily. Depending on the distance between your new company and your new home, you will need to decide whether commuting is a compromise worth making.

Step 4: Consider what your current neighbourhood lacks

Think about what your current environment is lacking. This will help to streamline your decision when picking a new neighbourhood. Likewise, also consider what you love about your current neighbourhood as this is something you should look for when you decide to move.

Step 5: Streamline the above decisions

Once you have streamlined your requirements, you can start to research neighbourhoods that will best suit your specific needs and desires.

Step 6: Trust your instincts

When you start the viewing process, trust your first impressions. If you feel uneasy about a neighbourhood when you first visit it, let it go – it’s not meant to be.

It is also worthwhile to chat to residents who already live in the area. They will have first-hand knowledge on information that real estate agents may not want to disclose.

Step 7: Visualise yourself in the neighbourhood

Does it look like you could live in the neighbourhood? What are the sound levels like – traffic noise, neighbours, pets, etc? Do you spot any vandalism in the area? Are there parks or areas of recreation nearby? Can you see yourself shopping at the local shopping centre?

Step 8: Get the ball rolling

Once you have decided on a neighbourhood to live in, start to look for homes that fit your budget. Even if the first house you live in is not your ideal home, but you love the neighbourhood – grin and bear it until you can afford something you like. You’ll have plenty of time once you’re in the neighbourhood to look at other properties you might like to rent or own in the future.

The experts at Stuttaford Van Lines have over 150 years of moving experience and will assist you with your moving related concerns. Request a quote and begin your moving journey.