How to research a Neighbourhood before moving in Halifax

Before you find your forever home in Halifax, there are some things that you will need to consider first, such as the neighbourhood in which you will want to settle down. After all, the worst thing that can happen is to fall in love with your forever Halifax home in a neighbourhood that is less than ideal for you.

Unless you carry out extensive research, you might make a move to your new home only to realize that you hate your neighbourhood when it is all too late. To prevent this from happening to you here is how to research a neighbourhood before moving in Halifax:

Find out what the price range is

Before you pick a neighbourhood, you will want to figure out what the housing prices are and how much it is going to cost you to settle down. When doing your research, try and go through home values in that neighbourhood over the last 5 to 10 years to give you an idea of how much everything is going to cost.

The taxes

Before moving, you will want to understand how much of your money will go into the sales and property taxes for your new home. It can be easy to get carried away with the rigorous home buying process but you should never forget to include the additional expenses that come with owning a home.

Research the amenities and activities available

Whether you are a family with several kids or a couple looking to start one, the local amenities available in your area will matter. Before settling down in a neighbourhood, you will want to make sure that the neighbourhood has everything to suit your lifestyle. If you have kids, they may be interested in activities such as swimming or hockey. As a parent, you will want a neighbourhood that has a number of parks, libraries as well as highly sought-after schools.

Convenience

How convenient your neighbourhood is will impact your happiness, as well as your expenses. You want a neighbourhood that has a shopping centre that has an array of services and is well equipped with everything that you need from pharmacies and hospitals to grocery stores and restaurants.

Convenience to the shopping centre, amenities and highways will also prevent you from having to spend too much on gas or transport. If you plan on commuting daily to work, you should look for a neighbourhood that can allow you to move to and from work without worrying about manic rush hour traffic.

By Michelle Robertson