Medicine Hat News

5 things to look for when choosing a new neighbourh­ood

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A big move is always exciting, but we can sometimes get so caught up in finding the perfect home that we forget about choosing the right neighbourh­ood. Your community can have a big impact on your lifestyle and quality of life, so here are some features to consider when scoping out locations:

Getting around. Do you like being able to walk or bike everywhere you go? Do you rely on public transporta­tion to get to work? Or do you have mobility issues and prefer driving? Make sure potential neighbourh­oods are suited to your favourite method of transporta­tion—that means plenty of bike paths for cycling or lots of lanes to avoid car congestion.

Demographi­cs. Many of us like to live with people who are in a similar life stage. A quick scan of the specific community can tell you useful things about its inhabitant­s, like the age of local kids and even what kind of work people do. Factor this in when making your decision and keep in mind what schools, daycare facilities, retirement homes and jobs are available, depending on your family’s needs and career paths.

Affordabil­ity. An affordable neighbourh­ood is just as important as an affordable home. Is the main street filled with pricey restaurant­s you’ll only be able to afford on special occasions? Are there opportunit­ies for fun, free things to do, like libraries or a skating rink?

Environmen­tal factors. Make sure your surroundin­gs are suited to your lifestyle. For example, an area full of bars and nightlife might not work if you have small children. If you love nature, you might want to pick somewhere with a nice park nearby. Or, if you have a dog, proximity to dog parks and walking trails might be a top priority.

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