Buying a home is a huge adventure, as you will be choosing a place to raise your family and live out some of the best years of your life. However, there is a lot more to a home than just the house itself. In fact, the area you live in could be even more important overall.
Instead of just looking for houses in your price range, it is a far better idea to research locations first, decide on where you want to live and then begin searching for St. Albert homes for sale, for example. Not sure on where to house hunt? Here are a few things to look out for:
Nearby Cities
Many people choose (wisely) not to live right in the middle of major cities. This is because of the fact that first of all, these areas can be extremely busy and usually not as safe as smaller, surrounding areas. Second of all, major cities are expensive to live in.
However, the trick is to make sure you purchase a home that is nearby enough to a major city that your commute to work or school is not too long, and that you will have access to everything you need. Your kids may have to start at a new school, and you will want to make sure you are able to send them to their first choice — so keep it nearby.
Neighbourhood Feeling
While you are feeling out different areas, it is a good idea to research specific neighbourhoods too. Take a visit to the neighbourhoods that tickle your fancy. Drive through them, test out what your commute might be like, go for a walk and see what coffee shops are nearby.
This will help you to get a feel for what it is like to live there. Do the people seem friendly, is there a nice walking path for post-dinner strolls, and do you feel safe?
Safety
Another important thing you want to look out for is how safe the area is. This relates to how you feel when you walk or drive around the location, but also to crime rates which can usually be researched online pretty easily.
Certain areas are more highly targeted for break-ins and other crimes, so make sure you know what you are up against before you select a place to live and raise a family.
The Perfect Home
Of course, once you have found an area you would love to live in, you need to make sure there is a home buried somewhere in there that will make your dreams come true. You might need to be willing to compromise a little, which is why you should pick a few different areas instead of only one, that you would be happy with.
You can then start house hunting, looking for a home that suits all your needs and the needs of your family, in terms of size, features, location and style. When buying your forever home, you are allowed to be a little picky, so take your time with the process.
