Choosing a new neighbourhood can be a tough decision for a family.<\/strong><\/p>\n While price is often the determining factor, particularly if you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no point in buying a huge home 40km out of the city if you\u2019re left with none of your family\u2019s \u2018must-haves\u2019.<\/p>\n So what should you be looking for? Here are the big five.<\/p>\n Narrow your home search to include only the areas that have what you and your family need. Picture: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n See the top 5 most in-demand commuter suburbs.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re having a family, you\u2019re 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<\/a> to higher prices.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see big growth because, particularly if you\u2019re buying in a particular school zone, everyone wants their children to have a good education, and people line up for it,\u201d Barham says.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are people that won\u2019t buy a house<\/a> if it\u2019s wrong side of the street, because it\u2019s not in the right school zone. It just creates far more competition, they\u2019re usually quite tightly held, and it does definitely have a big impact on value over time, because it\u2019s something that can\u2019t be replicated.\u201d<\/p>\n Picking the right suburb should take into account access to schools.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n While it\u2019s important to carefully select the area you want to live in, it\u2019s just as important to choose one that\u2019s easy to get out of.<\/p>\n Being close enough to freeways to make trips further afield easy should be a given for most families, Barham says.<\/p>\n \u201cTrying to get out of the city, it\u2019s always a bit of a gridlock, but if you\u2019ve got good freeway access, you can be out in five minutes,\u201d Barham says.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people work on the other side of town, and having good access by road is really important.\u201d<\/p>\n Supermarkets, local shops, cafes, restaurants and specialty stores should all be on the shopping list for families.<\/p>\n It shouldn\u2019t be a hassle to grab a weekend coffee or a long drive just to find a Coles or a Woolies. Picture: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It shouldn\u2019t be a hassle to grab a weekend coffee, and it shouldn\u2019t be a long drive just to find a Coles or a Woolies, Barham says.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can, buy around a good neighbourhood with a quiet village with cafes and restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you go a bit further out to areas that aren\u2019t as established, try to buy near where the main hub is, or is going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n We all hope that we never need them, but you\u2019ll be thanking your lucky stars you bought near a hospital, when the need arises.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s a selling point that continues to resonate with buyers, Barham says.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"family](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/11110357\/family-cafe_2000x1500-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nPublic transport<\/h2>\n
Schools<\/h2>\n
![\"School\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/14153914\/school-body-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nRoads and freeways<\/h2>\n
Retail<\/h2>\n
![\"retail](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/11110408\/retail-shops_2000x1500-1024x767.jpg?resize=1024%2C767&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nHospitals<\/h2>\n