Choosing a new neighbourhood can be a tough decision for a family.
While price is often the determining factor, particularly if you’re upsizing your home, it still makes sense to narrow the search to include only the areas that have all the things that you and your family want and need.
There’s no point in buying a huge home 40km out of the city if you’re left with none of your family’s ‘must-haves’.
So what should you be looking for? Here are the big five.
Narrow your home search to include only the areas that have what you and your family need. Picture: Getty Images
Public transport
Nelson Alexander agent Charlie Barham says surrounding yourself with good amenity is key, and easy access to public transport is at the top of that list.
Being in close proximity to trains, trams and buses will put the CBD, employment and other conveniences at your fingertips, and will provide a level of independence to children and young adults as they grow up.
See the top 5 most in-demand commuter suburbs.
Schools
If you’re having a family, you’re going to need schools, and securing an address within a good school zone can be critical. Homes within certain well-regarded government secondary school zones are highly coveted, and that can lead to higher prices.
“You see big growth because, particularly if you’re buying in a particular school zone, everyone wants their children to have a good education, and people line up for it,” Barham says.
“There are people that won’t buy a house if it’s wrong side of the street, because it’s not in the right school zone. It just creates far more competition, they’re usually quite tightly held, and it does definitely have a big impact on value over time, because it’s something that can’t be replicated.”
Picking the right suburb should take into account access to schools.
Roads and freeways
While it’s important to carefully select the area you want to live in, it’s just as important to choose one that’s easy to get out of.
Being close enough to freeways to make trips further afield easy should be a given for most families, Barham says.
“Trying to get out of the city, it’s always a bit of a gridlock, but if you’ve got good freeway access, you can be out in five minutes,” Barham says.
“A lot of people work on the other side of town, and having good access by road is really important.”
Retail
Supermarkets, local shops, cafes, restaurants and specialty stores should all be on the shopping list for families.
It shouldn’t be a hassle to grab a weekend coffee or a long drive just to find a Coles or a Woolies. Picture: Getty Images
It shouldn’t be a hassle to grab a weekend coffee, and it shouldn’t be a long drive just to find a Coles or a Woolies, Barham says.
“If you can, buy around a good neighbourhood with a quiet village with cafes and restaurants.”
“If you go a bit further out to areas that aren’t as established, try to buy near where the main hub is, or is going to be.”
Hospitals
We all hope that we never need them, but you’ll be thanking your lucky stars you bought near a hospital, when the need arises.
And it’s a selling point that continues to resonate with buyers, Barham says.
