Moving is hard enough on its own, and that’s not even adding in figuring out where to live – especially if you’re moving to an area you’re unfamiliar with. Stop in for some important factors to consider before your next move.

Before you look for a new place to live, you need to decide where to live. It could be the most important decision you make. If you get it wrong, you will be unhappy with where you live or have to front the costs of moving again to a new home. 

Choose An Area You Can Afford

You need to choose an area where you can afford to buy or rent the sort of property that you want to live in. Decide on your budget first. If you will need a mortgage, then it also a good idea to work out how much you can afford to borrow. Look on property websites (like this – go to site) to see what you can afford in different areas. 

Decide What Type Of Property You Want

Do you want a new build or a period property? How many bedrooms do you need or want? Do you want a house, or are you happy with an apartment?

You will have to make some trade-offs, of course. You might be able to afford a flat in a more popular area, but a house somewhere more affordable. 

Once you’ve set your budget and the kind of property you want, start looking through property websites to find out if the areas you are interested in have the kind of property you want at a price that you can afford. 

Choose What Type Of Area You Want To Live In

There are lots of things to think about when you choose an area you would like to live in. Do you want to be in a place with lots going on and young people? Do you want to live somewhere more peaceful or rural? 

Does it matter to you to be able to walk to the shops, or are you okay with needing to drive if you need to pick up some milk? Do you want to be near a shop or local restaurant? Are there community groups around? Do you want to be able to have an allotment, join a sports team, or send your children to swimming lessons? 

If you want your children to be able to play outside with other children, you shouldn’t move somewhere with no local park or other green space. If you like to shop for bargains, a street with only a high-end grocer probably won’t suit you.

Check the crime rates, schools, and transport links too.  

What Are The Employment Opportunities?

If you already have a job, where will you work? What happens if you decide to leave your current role? Make sure you leave yourself some room for some career flexibility. Don’t move to a town that relies on one industry if you’re planning to leave that industry soon. If you’re ambitious, you might need access to more job markets and employment opportunities. 

If you’re moving from the city to the countryside, think about how you might want to adapt to your work-life balance or spend more time with your children, which might mean you need some employment options that are closer to home.