10 Factors to Help You Decide Where to Live

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1. Busy city or relaxing countryside?

2. Transport Links

3. Schools & Education

4. Nearby Facilities - What You Need vs What You Want

5. Friends and Family

6. Is the property good value for money?

7. What is the community like?

8. Career Changes

9. Type of Property

10. Local Developments

Before moving to a new house, it’s essential to consider your future goals and whether your situation might change within the next five or ten years. To help you in making the right choice, we’ve created a list of ten key factors to consider when deciding where to move to.

1. Busy city or relaxing countryside?

When deciding on where to live, your needs will vary based on your personal situation. First time buyers may prefer living closer to the city, while families and older individuals may seek out a town, village, or countryside home. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make.

2. Transport Links

Transportation is an important factor to consider when looking at where to live. If you drive to work, assess how easy it is to access the motorway.

Alternatively, if you rely on public transport, it may be best to live closer to the city. Be mindful of the costs and time associated with commuting and consider walking or biking to work if possible.

3. Schools & Education

Families will prioritise schools and education when searching for properties. If your children are still in education, this could be a little difficult as you will need to decide whether to keep them at the same school or college or move them to a place closer to where you are moving to.

It mostly depends on how far you are planning to move away. If you have younger children, this decision may be a little easier.

If you do not have a family but have plans to start one in the future, this is still a consideration. When your children are old enough to go to school, it will be much easier to get them to and from school if it’s nearby.

4. Nearby Facilities – What You Need vs What You Want

When moving to a new area, it’s important to distinguish between what you want and what you need. While having a gym nearby might be desirable, having access to nearby shops is a more pressing need. The proximity of a gym would be considered a bonus in this scenario.

5. Friends & Family

It can be challenging to move away from friends and family if you frequently spend time with them. Many people move to be closer to their loved ones and living near parents and friends can be helpful for families so they can get support with childcare.

6. Is the property good value for money?

When purchasing a property, it’s essential to get good value for money. We recommend checking the prices of similar homes in the area on websites like Rightmove or Zoopla.

This will help you determine if you’re paying a fair price because if you’re not, the property could be down valued by the lender when they complete the mortgage valuation.

As a first time buyer, you may consider purchasing a less expensive property initially to enter the property market. It’s still crucial to compare prices of other properties in the area.

7. What is the community like?

Some people prefer a lively, bustling community with frequent events and celebrations, while others prefer a calm and peaceful lifestyle. Checking Facebook groups is a helpful starting point to see what is going on in the area.

8. Career Changes

One of the primary reasons why people move home is to accommodate a new job or career plan however many people now have the option to work from home and don’t need to go to an office so this may no longer be a factor that they need to consider.

9. Type of Property

When searching for properties, the type and size you prefer will determine the location you should consider. Semi-detached and terraced properties are usually found in urban areas, while larger properties tend to be outside the city.

Your family size, future goals, and financial situation will influence your decision. You can browse properties online to get an idea of average prices and property types in various locations.

10. Local Developments

Before committing to a property, it is important to research if any local investments are planned. This is especially crucial if you plan to live in the area long-term.

For instance, if a massive housing development is set to be built nearby in the next year, it could disrupt your plans for a peaceful life outside the city.

The Next Steps 

We want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your next move.

When you’ve found your dream home in a location you love and are ready to make an offer, our team of mortgage advisors can help you out. They’re super knowledgeable and can answer any questions you might have.

You can easily schedule a free appointment with a qualified mortgage advisor at a time that works for you by booking online. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you on your moving home journey! 

Written by
Malcolm Davidson
Managing Director of UK Moneyman Ltd.
MAQ & CeRER Qualified

22nd April 2024

About the Author

Malcolm Davidson

Managing Director of UK Moneyman LTD

Malcolm is one of the UK’s most well-known and respected Mortgage Advisors. He is passionate about providing a 5* customer experience and he has also trained and mentored dozens of fellow Advisors in a career that is now in its third decade.

In addition to his day to day duties as Managing Director, Malcolm still gives out mortgage advice and feels lucky that his job is also very much his hobby.

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