There are many wonderful places to live in the county of Kent but if you choose the wrong area you could end up being very unhappy and having the expense of moving to another area. This post will guide you to choose the best place to live.
- What Is Your Main Reason For Moving?
You need to determine your main reason for wanting to go to all the expense and hassle of moving to another area. Do you want to be close to your family? Or your friends? Or do you want to move upmarket? Or downmarket? Whatever the reason is you need to remind yourself constantly of the benefits of moving because it can really be stressful and take a lot of effort.
- Can You Afford It?
You need to know what your budget is before you decide where to live. Work out what the maximum mortgage or rent payment you could make each month and still live comfortably within your means. If you overstretch yourself then you will regret it. Once you have an amount in mind, do some research on the property prices or rental payments for the areas you are considering.
- What Kind Of Property Are You Looking For?
You need to decide on the number of rooms that you require and whether you want a house or a flat. If you want a house and the area that you have targeted is beyond your reach financially take a look at the surrounding areas as a house may be more affordable there.
- What About The Lifestyle That You Want?
Are you keen to move to a town or city where there is a lot going on? Or maybe move to the countryside and live in peace? If you are a town or city dweller at the moment, country life may not suit you as you may find it boring. If you do choose a quiet village then check out what amenities it has and where the nearest large supermarket is etc.
- Is It Convenient For Work?
If you work in Central London then you need to check out the rail services to see if they suit you and your budget. Commuting can be pretty expensive. If you work from home then will the new area suit your work habits? If you are in between jobs then what employment opportunities exist in the area?
- When You Have A Family
If you have a young family or you are thinking about starting one, then there are other important considerations. You will want to make sure that there is a good school in the area. You can check with Ofsted for this. It is better to move to an area where there are other young families as there is a good chance that there will be good facilities for children.
- Check Out Where You Want To Live
It is definitely worth spending a few days in an area that you are looking to move to before you make a commitment. Have a walk around the place and visit the shops and the pubs. Spend time in the parks as well. Do you get a welcoming feeling? Get hold of the local paper and find out what is going on. Check for anything in the area that could be a real hindrance if you moved there such as noisy railway yards, unpleasant smells from factories etc.
- Talk To People
As part of your visit to the area, make sure that you talk to people. Go to the pub and strike up a conversation with the people there. Do the same in the local shops. Find out which streets are good and which to avoid. It will take a bit of courage to do this but it is worth it. If nobody wants to talk to you then get out fast!
- Think Long Term
Think about your own situation and how this applies to living long term in a new area. If you are young and just started your professional career then you can probably count on pay rises and promotions in the future meaning that you will be able to go for more expensive properties later in the same area. So do these properties exist?
Just because a certain area is fashionable today does not mean that it will be tomorrow. It is better to move to an area that you will grow into rather than one you will grow out of. Check out any future plans for the area such as improved travel links etc.
- If In Doubt…
Rent a property in the area for a while to see if it suits you. If it does then you can make plans to purchase a property. If it doesn’t then you will need to look elsewhere.
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