How to choose the perfect location for your new home

When searching for a new home, it’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful open-plan kitchen or spacious bedroom, but choosing the perfect property means thinking beyond the front door.

While the house itself is important, the location shapes your everyday life, from your morning routine to your weekend plans and everything in between. Here are our top tips to help you find the perfect spot for your next chapter.

Before you open Rightmove or book a show home viewing, think about your everyday needs. For some people, a great location might mean being close to shops and good schools, whereas for others, it could be access to nature and an opportunity for a slower pace of life.

Thinking about your routines and habits can help guide your home location search. You might realise you’d benefit from being able to walk to the shops, or that a new home near a train station would save you hours in commuting time each week. If you work from home, you might prefer a quieter location with more green space for screen breaks.

A location might look perfect on paper, but the daily journey to work or school can impact your experience of living there.

If you drive, take a test run at peak time and see how long it really takes. Use public transport? Don’t forget to check train and bus times, and how frequently they run. Easy access to major roads and motorways can make your life much smoother, especially if you travel often or have a hybrid working pattern.

Living near well-rated schools can have a positive impact on house prices and their resale appeal. Good schools are an obvious bonus for families with school aged children, but it’s also a smart move for anyone looking to future proof their investment.

You can check school catchment areas and Ofsted reports online to get an idea of what’s nearby. Having range of neighbourhood amenities like playgrounds and libraries is also a good sign that the area is established and family friendly.

Before making any big decisions, make sure to spend some time in the area you’re considering. Visit at different times of the day to get a feel for how busy the streets are and how close you are to essentials services like chemists and doctors’ surgeries. These details are often what make a place feel like home.

Thinking ahead is just as important as the right now. Your perfect location today should offer flexibility and suit your needs in five or ten years.

If you’re buying your first home, you might need extra space in the future, or a home that benefits from good transport links. You might be commuting regularly now, but if you plan to work from home more often, a quieter location with reliable broadband could become a priority. And if you’re retiring soon and will want somewhere that offers a quieter lifestyle, look for locations surrounded by green spaces with a strong local community.

Another thing to consider when buying a house is to keep an eye on what’s planned for the area. It’s worth checking local council websites as they often publish development plans and news on upcoming changes. A place that’s on the up could be a smart investment for your future.

Find your ideal location with Tilia Homes

At Tilia Homes, we know that finding the right home starts with choosing the right location. That’s why we build in carefully selected areas that offer the best of local life, from great schools to handy transport links and green spaces.

If you’re unsure which location is right for you, our experienced sales executives are here to help. With in-depth local knowledge, they can answer your questions, talk you through the area, and help you feel confident in your next move.

Explore our range of new homes for sale today and take the first step towards finding your perfect place to call home.