The 3 most important reasons for choosing a suburb to live in

What do you look for when choosing a suburb to live in?

When it comes to choosing where to live, Australians rate housing cost, peace and quiet, and the suburb’s crime rate as their top considerations, according to a survey by finder.com.au last year.

The survey, which had more than 1,058 respondents, found that half (50 percent) of homeowners are concerned with property costs.

This was followed by peace and quiet (38 percent) and crime rate (24 percent).

Living close to an airport was found to be the least important factor in choosing where to live, with just 1 percent of respondents listing this in their top three wish list.

Local entertainment, including bars and music, was the second least popular with just 2 percent of respondents choosing this as a priority.

Money Expert Michelle Hutchison said it’s not surprising that housing cost is the number one consideration for Australians when choosing where to live.

“Housing is one of the most critical factors when determining which suburb to live in.
For instance, not only is a mortgage most likely one of the biggest debts you’ll face, the repayment you’ll be locked into for the next 30 years could shape other aspects of your life, for better or worse.

“Before you start looking for your next home, it’s essential that you do your homework.
Take at least six to eight weeks to research house prices in a handful of your preferred suburbs and compare them to cheaper nearby suburbs.
It’s also important spend time comparing home loans.

Remember, interest rates are not going to stay this low forever, and you’ll need to factor in a buffer of 2-3 percent to ensure you’re able to afford mortgage repayments when rates rise.

“Compromise is often part of the homeownership journey.
However, compromise doesn’t have to mean giving up on your dream suburb altogether.
Rather, it may mean buying an unrenovated property, on a smaller block, or ditching a view or car space to buy into that area.
If you have been outpriced of a suburb, look at neighbouring areas – chances are the property values in these suburbs will increase along with demand, which may make for a wise investment.

“Choosing a property to live in should be a strategic decision to avoid landing in financial strife down the track.
Pick a location with valuable features such as high rental potential, low crime rate, and close to schools, recreation and shops. The more a suburb has to offer, the easier it will be to re-sell in future regardless of market conditions.”

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About Michael Yardney Michael is the founder of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media.