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Home Buying Guide

What to Look for in a Good Neighbourhood: A Comprehensive Guide

Abbey Cole by Abbey Cole
April 21, 2023
in Buying Guide, Canada
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A row of bungalows on a street.
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When it comes to finding the perfect place to live, there are a few key things to look for in a good neighbourhood. From safety and convenience to activities and amenities, these are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your new home.

Safety is Paramount

First and foremost, you want to ensure that your neighbourhood is safe. Pay attention to crime rates online or contact the local police department for more information. If possible, speak to residents in the neighbourhood to better understand how safe it is.

  • Read: Finding Your Dream Home: Which Home Type is Perfect For You?

Consider the Cost

When considering where to live, weigh the cost and benefits of different neighbourhoods. Consider both cost and time spent commuting when deciding, then work with an agent to find the best spot for you. Living closer to the city centre often increases both cost and desirability but living farther away in places like Scarborough or Ajax can save you money if you’re willing to deal with long commutes.

What Kind of Lifestyle Are You After?

It’s also important to consider lifestyle factors like sidewalks, taxes and other expenses, activities and amenities, convenience and annoying sounds or smells. Research different parts of town before deciding where you want to live. While you can jog anywhere, other physical activities, like spin class or Crossfit, require specific facilities. Think about pools, tennis courts, skating rinks, community centres, and other recreational resources. A park is good for health and exercise if you have small children or a dog.

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Is Accessibility Important?

Another thing to consider is walkability – how easy is it to get around without driving everywhere? Are there parks or open spaces nearby? How close are shopping centers, restaurants, and other attractions? All these factors will help determine how convenient your neighbourhood is for day-to-day living. Each of our listings includes walking and transit scores to make it easy for people to evaluate accessibility when choosing where to live.

  • Read: 7 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing a Condo

Thinking About School Zones?

Finally, remember the schools! If you have children or plan on having them soon, a good school district with plenty of opportunities for learning and growth will be on your checklist. 

You can streamline your search for the finest selections throughout Ontario school districts with the help of Zoocasa’s school search tool capability. Our filters enable customers to explore listings by school boundaries, covering elementary and secondary schools under both public and Catholic school boards. If you’ve already found the dream school for your kids, you can search for listings within that school’s district, too! The results come with ratings from the EQAO and Fraser Institute, providing an efficient way to narrow down potential schools.

These are just some of the things that make up a great neighbourhood – but ultimately, it comes down to what works best for you and your family. Take your time researching different areas before deciding so that you can find the perfect place for your next home!

Our experts agents can help you find the perfect home in the right neighbourhood. Give us a call today and we can help you with your moving plans!

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Abbey Cole

Abbey Cole

Abbey is Zoocasa's Content Marketing Specialist, creating content to help Canadians make informed decisions on the real estate market. As a textbook Hamiltonian, Abbey enjoys walking the Bruce Trail near the Devil's Punchbowl. You'll catch Abbey soaking up the sun, reading a book or watching Netflix with her furbabies when she's not working.

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