Photo Credit: Christian Vasile via Unsplash
They say that location is everything when deciding to buy a new home, and it’s true – the area and neighbourhood in which you live are just as important as your actual home so read this article carefully to learn Tips for Researching a Neighbourhood, Before You Move.
While looking at photos of a neighbourhood might help give you a surface idea of what an area looks like, you can’t know what a place is truly like until you live there.
However, there are things you can do and research to help give you the most accurate idea of what a neighbourhood is like in order to ensure you don’t end up living in an area that you’ll love.
Look at the Statistics
Doing ample research on a neighbourhood can help give you a reading on a neighbourhood’s past, present, and future.
Get to know the numbers of your desired area by looking into several statistics.
Working with realtors in Toronto will help provide you with information such as market statistics and walk scores, and you may know of new developments coming to the area in the future.
You can also research crime statistics of an area online to ensure your potential neighbourhood is safe for you and your family.
Walk the Neighbourhood
The easiest way to tell what a neighbourhood is like is for you to walk it yourself.
Taking a walk through a neighbourhood will allow you to learn much about what it’s like, such as if the parks seem lively if the sidewalks are stroller or accessible, how crowded (or pricey) nearby parking situations are and spotting any retail options like restaurants or recreational stores.
Make a point to notice any negatives about an area, too, such as loud noises, trash buildups, dangerous-looking intersections, etc.
If time is on your side, it’s a good idea to visit these areas multiple times, on different days of the week at alternating times.
This will help give you the most accurate reading of a neighbourhood.
For example, a nearby pub or restaurant may be quiet during weekdays, but from Friday through Sunday, be a source of loud music and an abundance of patrons.
Another example might be street parking available during the day but near impossible in the mornings and evenings when people have returned from work.
Talk to your Potential Neighbours
One of the most accurate ways to understand what a neighbourhood is truly like is to ask the people who live there.
If you’re feeling sociable, ask those you pass while touring the neighbourhood or those who work in the local retail outlets.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, there are many online apps, websites, and Facebook groups dedicated to helping those discover what neighbourhoods are like.
It is important to note that the idea of a “great neighbourhood” varies from person to person and to take the opinion of everyone with a grain of salt.
It is a better option to ask specific questions like “what are noise levels like,” “How do you find parking,” and “What is the area like at night.”
In summary, while it’s impossible to truly know every quirk of an area until you live in it, with a good collection of collaborative input and information, one can at least be as prepared as can be before signing on the dotted lines.
