Choosing where to live

Choosing the right location for your new-build home is just as important as selecting the property itself.

Where you live will impact your lifestyle, commute, and long-term satisfaction, so it’s vital to consider all factors before making a decision.

Here, Forge Head of Sales Toby Brown shares some practical tips to help you assess potential areas and ensure your new home is in the perfect spot for your needs.

Location, location, location

When you’re looking for your new home, location will be a key question. Where is the development in relation to the key parts of your life – work, amenities, schools, transport links? If the property doesn’t score well on this, it might not suit your requirements and could lead to you wanting to look elsewhere in the medium term.

Next, consider access to quality amenities – like schools, parks, healthcare and shopping – as these will really add to your quality of life and sense of wellbeing.

At Forge, we focus on areas that have these fundamentals in place. As well as being desirable places to live, these areas tend to have stronger appreciation in property value, making your purchase a smart financial decision as well as a place to call home.

Whether you’re considering a village location such as Pilsley, a market town like Bolsover, or even a new community at Waverley, each of our developments has a distinct offering – which one you choose will depend on which location works best for you.

Once you’ve shortlisted a location, I would suggest going a little deeper to find out more:

• Visit the area at different times of the day and week to get a sense of the atmosphere and level of activity. Does it suit your preference and lifestyle?
• Take a closer look at the development. Walk around any areas that are already built, and book a visit to the show home.
• Think about which amenities are most important to you. Which would you use more – a local park or a leisure centre?
• What’s happening in the local area in terms of development and infrastructure? For example, would a new railway station make a difference to you?

Getting on the ladder

 
Buying your first home is a huge milestone, and it can feel overwhelming. I recommend:

1. Speaking to a qualified independent financial adviser – understanding your financials and what you can afford before you start searching for your new home is essential.
2. Knowing ‘what you need’ vs. ‘what you want’ – focus on the things you absolutely need in a first home.
3. Saving some money for moving costs, an emergency fund and any additional decoration you want to do to make your new home feel really ‘yours’.
4. Following the step-by-step buying guide on our How to buy page.