Tips for Choosing a Great Australian Suburb to Move

It’s the ultimate question for Australian homebuyers, especially first-time buyers: how to choose a suburb to move to? It’s important to note here that there are no “best” suburbs as presented by various real estate companies. The best suburb really depends on how well it fits your needs and how well you fit into the neighbourhood. If you are worried about choosing a suburb in Australia, here are several tips that will help:

Affordability Takes Priority

Obviously, some suburbs are more affluent than others anywhere in Australia. The price range of houses in a neighbourhood will thus vary accordingly. Therefore, the most crucial aspect of choosing a suburb depends on your ability to afford it. It’s important to right away figure out what your housing budget would be.

First, find out how much of a mortgage you will qualify for. Then factor in the mortgage payments to your current income to see how much you can truly afford. When you have the basic budget set up, you will have a realistic estimate regarding what type of house you can afford. Then shop for neighbourhoods within that price range. Otherwise, you would just be wasting time.

Think about the Schools

Childless singles or couples may not think about it much at first, but educational facilities are also a crucial deciding factor. Even if you don’t already have children, if you do plan to have children in the future, you might way to choose an area, say, with the best schools in Melbourne. Great schools nearby also increase the value of homes if you plan on reselling anytime in the future.

Take Note of Public Spaces

No one moves to the suburbs to stay cooped up inside houses all day. You can do that in a city rental. Most suburban homebuyers expect lawns, gardens, and also public spaces. Having a park nearby would be a great asset for family time and for resale value of the house. You might want to also consider national parks nearby suited for outdoor activities like jogging and camping. You can have a holiday without flying anywhere with ample park space nearby.

What Type of Amenities are Available

In addition to school zones, home buyers should also take into account other facilities like public transportation options, shopping complexes and similar facilities that improve the quality and convenience of life in the area. You probably don’t want to drive 30 minutes to the supermarket in the next town. Even if you drive, public transportation access indicates that the area is well connected to major cities. Such factors are important to both liveability and overall value of the house.

Don’t Buy Based on Future Developments

Don’t move into an area that has grand plans for development. The chances are high that plans for a new theme park or a freeway might just get shelved. Don’t speculate on what might there be in the future, unless you are a serious investor. Homebuyers should instead focus on what’s already there when making a purchase.

Address Safety Concerns

Homebuyers are also concerned about safety of suburbs. While no area is completely crime free, you can check local crime statistics before moving in. Don’t be alarmed by crime rate, unless it’s unusually high compared to local, state, or national averages.

Pay attention to the above and you will be able to narrow down your list of choices pragmatically. Don’t neglect to tour the neighbourhoods and thoroughly do your research before buying a new home.