When you buy a car, it’s customary to take it for a spin. In fact, most people wouldn’t consider making such a major purchase without a test drive.
Surprisingly however, many people buy homes without testing the neighbourhood they will be living in. A walk around the block isn’t enough. To really get a feel for the area you’re considering, you need to spend a couple of hours “pretending” you’re a resident.
- Go shopping at the nearby shopping mall or visit the shops on a nearby street.
- Have your kids play in the neighbourhood park.
- Drop by the local school.
- Have lunch at a local restaurant.
- Go for a bike ride to explore the surrounding streets and trails.
- Have coffee at a local café.
- Visit the local community centre, fitness club, sports centre or library.
- Check out the area daycare facilities.
Investing some serious time in a neighbourhood will give you a much better idea of what it’s like to live there on a day-to-day basis.
