Relocation hints and tips

 

Top tips for relocating

Moving to a new, unfamiliar area can be a daunting task. After all, if it is the wrong decision it can have a bearing on both your finances and your ability to settle. Take a look at our relocation tips below to aid your search and make moving as easy as possible.

 

Use the Internet

Your budget and criteria are always important in a property search. Make sure your first step is to have these clearly defined as this will allow you to focus on neighbourhoods and exploring different areas.

The internet is a great resource and used correctly, it can deliver useful information and statistics to guide your search. Crime-statistics.co.uk collates local crime and policing information in order to provide an overview of your chosen area and its safety. The site works alongside individual police forces and the Government to keep crime statistics accurate and up-to-date.

Illustreets.co.uk is another website that can be extremely useful for a long-distance recon. The site claims to use open data including ONS, Environmental Agency and the Department for Education (as well as several others), to deliver local information in a geographical context. The interactive map allows you to explore areas, showing the standard of living, local demographics, estimated travel times, housing data, crime rate and schools. 

 

Estate agents

Another reliable source of local knowledge is the local estate agents. If you have questions regarding schools, transport links or neighbourhoods, compile a list and contact a local estate agent who will be more than able to assist you. A knowledgeable professional will have the ability to provide you with recommendations as well as help you to compare properties against your criteria.

Here at haart we consider ourselves to be the nation’s local estate agents with experienced, well-informed advisors. Contact your local haart branch to find out more.

Our website also offers extensive advice and search abilities including narrowing down your criteria as well as viewing schools, transport and shops local to properties for sale with us.  You can also view what properties have sold for and let for in the areas of interest to you.  Simply complete a property search in the area of interest and click the map view to see what is available in the area.  

 

Last steps

Finally, once you have narrowed down an area for your relocation, take a trip there if you are able to. Walking through the town or driving along the streets will give you a good feel for the place. Key things to look for include:

  • Presentation and maintenance – are the properties, roads and town well-presented and well-maintained?
  • Is the town busy and thriving or boarded up?
  • Are there new retailers and shops? This can indicate an area of growth and investment.
  • Take a look at local amenities – if a gym or leisure centre is important to you, shop around and see what the area has to offer. 

Relocating can seem very daunting, but it can be a lot of fun – a new adventure with new opportunities!