8 Things Londoners Look For In Their Next Area
When Londoners look into moving to a new area, their wish-lists often include aspects such as:
Value for money.
Schooling.
Green space and parks.
However, there are 8 aspects that Londoners tend to lean towards when looking for their new area in which to live…
These include:
Local Supermarket
A number of people who live in PCL and Central London have the majority of their meals in restaurants and they generally eat out.
However, even for those that live centrally and live their life in that way, they will still need to have a range of fridge staples to tie them over till the next morning or afternoon.
Therefore, having a good quality local supermarket is crucial for the vast majority of people when looking for their new area.
This is why the ‘Waitrose Effect’ is so incredible…
Essentially, when a Waitrose opens that is in good proximity to your 1-bed flat or house, homeowners profit because the price of their property will increase!
London Underground Station
Having access to a London Underground station (or an overground station) is such an important part of many Londoners lifestyle.
Londoners often move to a new area because their new 1-bed property, whether it be a purchase or a rental agreement, is close to one of their most desired underground stations and it offers the quickest and/ or the shortest commuting times to and from work.
With working from home of course becoming more popular as of late, it will be interesting to see if this changes over the course of the next 5 years and if home values subsequently change because of this.
Parking
For a lot of homeowners parking is crucial and especially off-street parking at home.
This tends to means that they will look for area outside of Prime Central London and Central London and they look towards London suburbs and areas where they can drive to work within 30 - 45 minutes.
Yes, the underground is convenient.
However, it’s not the nicest commute to have to make every single day…
It’s hot, it’s uncomfortable, it can become expensive (especially if you have to change which underground/ tube line you are travelling on) and it’s a hassle because you have to rely on the train turning up at a certain time, meaning that your morning and afternoon/ evening is dictated by the tube.
Peace and Quiet
Many people prefer having access to the city instead of living in the city due to noise levels.
London is not a 24 hour city like New York, however, let’s be honest here, it is still incredibly busy and loud in the evenings!
If you prefer being in the hustle and bustle of the city centre, then moving there may well be your best bet and you will have to put up with noise throughout the course of the day.
If not, it may be a better bet to look further out…
“For a lot of homeowners parking is crucial and especially off-street parking at home.”
Doctors and Hospitals
Living near to a good Doctor’s Surgery/ GP and Hospital is often important to home buyers when searching for their new area.
Having a GP that you can trust is so important and can give any home buyers or movers peace of mind when they are feeling under the weather or needing urgent assistance.
Other aspects related to this are the proximity to local pharmacies and local physiotherapists/ chiropractors.
Local Community
Finding a new area which has a genuinely brilliant independent cafe or bar is an important part of getting to know people in the local community.
It is treated as a second home (for some people!) and it is a great place in which to meet locals when you are moving to a new area.
A general feel of how ‘tight-knit’ a local community is a big factor in general, too…
Do locals tend to shop and relax in the same areas?
If so, where are these areas?
Are they welcoming of newcomers or to they tend to be in cliques or groups?
Restaurants
A number of Londoners would love to be within a short walk of their favourite restaurants.
People sometimes choose an area simply for this reason!
Alternatively, if your new area gives you access to a range of really good quality restaurants, it may well be the deciding factor for you…
When moving to a new area, your friends will want to visit you, which is why restaurants can often be an important aspect in the search for your next area and home.
Gym
There are often gyms (and swimming pools!) in luxury new build developments within London.
However, if this is not the case with the search for your next area, then there is a strong possibility than living near a gym with a really good reputation is important for you if fitness is a big part of your life.
People often want to be within a 10 minute walk of their preferred gym…
Which of these 8 aspects would be the most important for YOU?
Which of them would you use as a guide to help you choose your next area in which to live?