home in Vancouver

When purchasing a new home, choosing the right neighbourhood is just as important as finding the right house. Do you want to live in an up and coming area or somewhere more family-friendly? Each neighbourhood comes with its personality and has its pros and cons. If you’re looking to make a long-term investment, it’s important to choose a location suited to your needs and wants. Here are some factors you should consider when picking a neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood Features

Are there some essential features that you would want in your neighbourhood? Remember to take into account not only your preferences but your family members’ too (if you’re planning on living together). For example:

• Do you want a bustling area or quiet streets?
• Does high walkability matter to you? (You can check the walk score of any neighbourhood online)
• Perhaps you have a dog and would like a dog-friendly park nearby?
• Do you prefer a tight-knit community?
• Are you happy to drive everywhere, or do you want public transportation closeby?

Commute

While most of us are working from home now, eventually, we will need to start commuting again. Consider how long it will take for you to commute to and from work, and if you’ll be taking public transit, whether there’s a stop nearby. What seems like a short walk in the summer can feel much longer in the winter months!

Schools

Will you need to be near schools? What are the schools in the area like? Even though you may not have children now, this is something to consider if you’re planning to be a parent in the future.

Future Developments

Do you prefer an established area or an up and coming neighbourhood that may have many developments (a.k.a. construction sites)?

Buying into a developing location will likely be nicer to your wallet as well as an excellent long-term investment, as these areas often appreciate quickly. On the flip side, you might be surrounded by cranes and construction noises for a while.

You can find more information about future development plans at city hall or through the local Chamber of Commerce. It’s a good idea to investigate the neighbourhood’s future and decide if it will align with you and your family.

Demographic

The people that live in the neighbourhood make the area what it is. A location populated with young 20-somethings will feel different from one full of young families or retired folks.

Amenities

Do you like being close to bars, restaurants, grocery stores and cafes? Is night-time noise a concern for you? Consider walking around the area during the day and at night to make sense of its highs and lows.

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home in Vancouver, Richmond or Burnaby, Cherry Yeung is the professional real estate consultant for you. With years of experience and an excellent track record, Cherry and her team of real estate experts know these cities like the back of their hands. Call us now for your real estate inquiries!