There is a whole multitude of reasons you may be looking to move to a new suburb, whether it be for a job opportunity, a lower cost of living, downsizing, upsizing, better schools or just for a change of scene. Whatever the reason may be, everyone wants to make sure their new suburb will be a good fit.
Australians are one of the most mobile populations globally, where more than 40 per cent of Aussies change residence every five years*; that’s about twice the global average.
The latest stats from Westpac show a third of Australian homeowners are planning to sell their homes in the next five years.
So, many people are dreaming of greener pastures, planning their next move, and need to find the right suburb for their next life stage and goals.
Here are some questions to consider before shifting your whole life to a new suburb, city or interstate.
Is it safe?
There are a few ways you can research and check on the safety of an unfamiliar location. You can gauge safety by looking into different crime statistics for a particular postcode. Visit the suburb at night time to see if the public spaces and streets are well lit.
Is it noisy?
Before moving, it’s essential to consider the potential for different kinds of noise pollution in the suburb that could disturb you while living there. It can even negatively impact your health over time.
Check the streets surrounding the property you’re considering on Google Maps to see if there are any noisy facilities, services or public works close by. Depending on your noise tolerance, things to watch out for could include schools, freeways, tips or train lines.
Is there good community spirit?
A lot of house hunters are seeking out family-friendly and community-oriented areas when looking for a new place to live. If you value friendliness, supportive neighbours and want to get involved in community programs, then this is something you will want to spend a bit of time evaluating.
A great place to start is searching for and joining any community-run Facebook Groups in your areas of interest. Try search terms like ‘Community’, ‘Hub’, ‘Noticeboard’, ‘Crime Watch’ with the suburb or council area you’re researching.
Spend a day in your suburb of interest to get a read on the general vibe and the community. Take a wander down the main street and even get lunch at the local café. Carrying out these kinds of everyday activities will help indicate if the new suburb feels like a good fit for you.
Will I be happy here?
Having easy access to the people and activities you love most in the world will have a large bearing on your happiness, mental health and overall well-being in your new suburb.
Consider how you spend most of your time outside work. If daily gym sessions or swims are a top priority, you’ll need to make sure you’re happy with the facilities and memberships offered at the local gym and pool.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to check out the local brunch scene, visit the bakery, sample the coffee and see what’s available on UberEATS before moving in.
Is it pet-friendly?
When looking into a new suburb, you can’t forget to consider your best furry friend’s needs.
If you’re planning to move to a beachside suburb and you’re envisioning walks on the beach with your pup, carefully check whether any restrictions apply to the beach and seasonal beach access/ off-leash times for dogs.
If you’re looking at inland suburbs, you will want to check whether the local parks and walking trails allow for dogs. See if there are any designated off-leash dog areas so your dog can easily socialise with other dogs, enjoy a game of fetch and burn off excess energy running around freely.
Can I afford it?
Lastly and crucially, it would be best to determine whether you can afford to buy or rent a home in your suburb of interest. It’s no good to find a safe, quiet area with great community spirit and amenities, only to be shocked to realise you’ve blown the budget!
Take a look through the properties currently advertised for sale and rent online, to see if the median list price is comfortably within your financial means.
On top of rent or mortgage repayments, you’ll need to factor in additional costs to see if the new suburb would suit your current household income. You may want to figure out how much petrol you’ll use on average, parking expenses if you drive to work or the cost of public transport for your new commute.
Hopefully, these questions have given you some ideas about discovering the right new postcode for you, or perhaps they have helped reaffirm the suburb you have in your sights.
As always, the team here at AW are property experts, people focused. We are equipped and have the knowledge to place you with your perfect home.
* – https://theconversation.com/australians-are-moving-home-less-why-and-does-it-matter-133767