Buying your first home is a big deal, and not just financially.
The area you move to will become as familiar to you as your close friends and family. So it's important to choose the right spot.
You may know exactly where you want to buy, perhaps even down to the exact house on the exact street. But it’s always good to keep your options open.
One area might be great for craft beer pubs but has limited green space. The other might be close to friends, but too far from good transport links.
So how do you research an area before buying a house - and know if you're buying in a good area for you?
Here's how to make sure you find the right neighbourhood.
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1. Visit the area at different times of day
Go there. And then go again. Nothing beats visiting a neighbourhood at different times of day.
Turn up on different days of the week and weekends to get a real feel for what it’s like.
What’s it like on a Friday or Saturday evening? What are traffic levels like at peak times? How reliable are the transport links you might come to depend on?
Don’t be shy. Talk to the neighbours. Knock on doors. Most people are happy to chat.
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2. Find out if crime is an issue
You can get detailed crime statistics for an area from the local police force. Simply visit data.police.uk and download a report for your area.
It’s also a good idea to buy the local paper. And social media provides a great opportunity to join locals and learn their concerns and interests.
If you live in an area with a high rate of burglaries, you may face higher insurance premiums.
Check out our guide to home insurance.
3. Research the nearby schools
If you have children or plan to have them in future, do your homework on the local primary and secondary schools.
As well as seeing what kind of education they provide, you'll need to find out whether the property you are planning to buy is in the all-important ‘catchment area’.
As boundaries can change from year to year, you may need to contact schools directly to get the most up-to-date information.
Check the property listing on Zoopla to see the distance between your potential home and local schools.
You can also look at the local authority's website to see the distances within which children got into your preferred schools the previous year.
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4. Check out the local amenities
If there are shops and banks, and decent pubs and restaurants within walking distance of the property you’re hoping to move to, check them out.
Go for a meal, buy your essentials and chat to anyone you meet along the way.
You might also want to be near a church, temple, mosque or other place of worship. What about a library, cinema or theatre?
Find out all you can about sports facilities, leisure centres, parks and open spaces by researching online.
If you’re a gym bunny, see if there’s a gym you can walk or cycle to.
How much could my mortgage repayments be?
Get a quick idea of how much it's going to cost each month or how a rate change could affect your monthly payments.
5. Get the lowdown on GPs and dentist surgeries
When you move to a new area you'll want to register with a doctor and a dentist.
An online search will be a good place to find information and reviews.
Joining local social media groups may be a good way of getting recommendations from other locals.
6. Try out transport connections
Find out how long it takes to walk (or cycle or drive) to the nearest station. If this is going to be your daily commute, you need to ensure it’s achievable.
If parking on the street is possible, are there any restrictions or charges? Can you get a weekly or monthly parking permit at a cheaper rate?
Find the closest bus stops, tram stops, underground stops and other transport links. How frequently do trains and buses run?
Work out how much everything is going to cost. And do a trial run to your place of work to find out how long the journey will take.
7. Check local authority planning and Council Tax
It’s worth finding out whether there are any planned changes to the area that could affect your decision.
For example, a new shopping centre or better transport links could be a real positive.
But a new industrial project could be a big no-no. Your best bet is to check out your local authority’s website.
If you're in the process of buying, the local searches carried out by your solicitor should uncover anything serious.
But there's no harm in having a look while choosing your preferred location.
The local authority will also have details about any upcoming Council Tax charges.
8. Flooding, air pollution and traffic
You may be keen to know if the property you are looking to move to is at risk from flooding.
The Environmental Agency's website has the information based on postcodes.
It’s also worth checking data on air quality and pollution, and seeing if the property is located close to a landfill site.
Visit the area at the busiest times of day to see how bad the traffic is.
You don’t want to end up snarled in a traffic jam every time you leave home. Busy traffic could also mean a lot of noise and pollution.
9. Look for signs of an up-and-coming area
Moving into an area 'on the up' might be something that appeals.
Chances are you can bag more home for your money and you can help be part of the regeneration.
From a financial perspective, you might end up with a decent return, too.
Signs an area is on the up include:
Lots of home improvement going on, with skips or scaffolding outside homes
A high proportion of independent retailers and cared-for shops
New estate agencies opening up
New transport links or infrastructure projects
A high proportion of people in their twenties or thirties.
10. Check past property prices
Find out the value of any property, together with info on when it previously sold and how much for at My Home.
Check out the house prices on any given street with our house prices tool.
And for a broader view of what's happening in the housing market, have a read of our House Price Index.