It’s important to ensure a community has the characteristics you want — before you make an offer on a home you like.

Imagine you were counting on public transit being in easy walking distance, but discovered the nearest stop is four blocks away. It can be discouraging to come across the areas your neighborhood may be lacking after you’ve already purchased a home.

Here are some elements to consider when choosing the perfect community:

  1. Do you have children or are you planning to have children soon?

Research the schools in that area, be sure the building and location inspire confidence when you think of sending your children off for the day. Even if you don’t plan on having children, living in an area with a sought-after school system raises your property value.


  1. What type of home do you want?


Are you interested in a single-family home or a condo? Do some research on the pros and cons of the different types of homes. Historic neighborhoods have tons of character homes, but often require some repair work. Newer developments have more modern features, but are typically farther from the city center.


  1. How far are you willing to commute?


Do you plan to drive, walk or take transit to work? Does the community have a good transit system? How challenging is it to navigate traffic in the mornings? All of these factors should be considered when making the decision to move. A projected 15 minute morning commute can easily be doubled with traffic.


  1. What is your current community lacking?


If you’re currently landlocked, but have always wanted to live on the waterfront, put that at the top of your list. If you’re a coffee junkie, having a café within walking distance may be a dream come true.


  1. Do you want to be able to go places on foot?


Some neighborhoods feature great proximity to restaurants, shopping and recreation. Others are car dependant and require a reliable source of transportation.



  1. Is there nearby parks and recreation?


Most communities within the Vernon area feature ample parks, trails and community centres. Do some research to investigate which may appeal most to you. An avid skier might prefer a neighborhood at the base of the mountain versus a lake front community. Some areas have more playgrounds and family friendly outdoor pools.


  1. Sounds:


Bird and nature sounds are generally pleasant, but highway noise, airport traffic, hospital sirens and trains passing may be too disruptive for everyday life.


Once you’ve done the background research, it’s important to visit neighborhoods that made the preliminary grade in person. If you would like a tour of a potential neighborhood and more in-depth insights into a potential neighborhood, I have plenty of knowledge of Vernon and surrounding communities. Give me a call today.