10 Factors to Help You Decide Where to Live

As a mortgage broker in Sunderland, we do find many homeowners looking at moving home in Sunderland for a number of reasons.

Whether you are looking to move due to a job or are looking to settle down elsewhere to start a family, there are many factors you should consider when deciding the best area to look for your dream home in Sunderland.

Hustle and Bustle of The City or Relaxing Countryside

Your dream home should come with its dream location! Therefore, a big deciding factor is whether you want to be in the rush of the city or the relaxing countryside and which one will benefit you and your lifestyle the most.

You may be looking at being a part of the city life in an area close to your job and has lots of things to do in your down time. On the flip side, you may want a place to escape from that in a more rural area.

Transports links can play a big part in the decision process especially when you are looking at your options for commuting to work. As well as this, if you are looking to travel out on the weekend, you may be looking at an area close to a major motorway.

Along with this, you may want to look at the transport costs if you are commuting there from work whether you are travelling by car or public transport.

Schools & Education

Having to look at what schools are in a catchment zone can be important if you have children or are making plans to start a family in the future.

If you are interested in how the schools are performing, check out the local authority websites and school league tables where you can the high performing.

Facilities

Looking into what facilities can be essential, however, it’s likely you will find that not all the facilities you want are in the area which could mean you will have to prioritize certain facilities.

Generally, you will be looking at an area that has amenities close by like shops, eateries, hairdressers etc. which is usually the ones you need.

On the flip side, if you have children, you may like to live in an area that is close to the local play park whereas you may prefer to have a gym on your route home from work.

Friends and Family

Living near your friends and family is something you may want to consider. For many, being near their friends and family can be helpful if they are in need of assistance with things like childcare.

If this isn’t the case, you may want to live near them to make it easier to arrange family gatherings, however, you may want your own space and not see them as often.

Value for Money

Looking for a property that is value for money will differ depending on the location you’re looking at buying in. Therefore, you may want to look at a cheaper home to get the best out of your money.

This may create drawbacks in terms of what things you were looking for meaning you may have to compromise on certain factors like the area you live in.

Community

The community can play a huge part in your experience of living within a neighbourhood. A small, close-knit community can be great if you are looking to connect with people within the area.

If you are looking for a bit of insight into what the local community is like, have a look at whether the area has a dedicated website or Facebook group where you can see what’s going on in the local area. If the community is not too important to you but, you want to see the general reputation of the area especially how safe it is, you can look online for the crime rates of the area.

Jobs

You may be looking to move due to a career change. Therefore, we do suggest you see whereabouts your new workplace is located compared to the area you are interested in living in.

If you’re job hunting after you move home, look into the employment opportunity in the area and find out whether there are any business parks nearby or any well-known employers that you could work at.

Property Type

There are a variety of properties you can look into. There are properties out there that are end terrace with a picturesque garden and apartments with an urban feel that are located within the city. Therefore, you need to find the perfect one for you!

Investment

If you are looking for a home you will settle down in, it’s best you look at whether there are any builders, big companies or the council that have any proposed investment in the area.

If you find there are proposed investments, you should see whether or not they will benefit you and the kind of life you would like. For example, if you are looking to live in a more rural environment but there are plans in place for a big housing estate, will this impact what you’re looking for?

Moving Home Mortgage Advice in Sunderland

When you get in touch with our friendly team about mortgage advice in Sunderland, we will offer you a free no-obligation mortgage appointment where you can speak to one of our advisors. Get in touch today if you are looking to start your next chapter in your home owning journey.

If you are interested on what areas are in and around Sunderland, check out our helpful guide on the
‘7 Best Places to Live in Sunderland‘.

Date Last Edited: 15/06/2023