When choosing a family home, there are a lot of factors at play, and knowing where to start can be challenging.
We understand how important this decision is, especially when you’re balancing family priorities with the logistics of buying a home. So, we’ve put together what we recommend you consider before deciding where to move, helping to ensure this decision works for everyone involved.
Budget considerations: affordability vs. lifestyle needs
One of the biggest factors to weigh up is what you can realistically afford. Areas with good schools and easy transport links are sought after, meaning they’ll have a higher asking price.
Look at your finances and make sure to factor in other costs beyond just the mortgage, such as council tax, utility costs and transport expenses. Use our mortgage calculator to work out an estimate of how much you might be able to borrow, or book a mortgage appointment with us here.
It is also worth future-proofing your decision by considering changes in finances such as losing a job, a change in interest rates or childcare needs. Make sure your repayments feel manageable and still allow you to live comfortably, with some extra to save for a rainy day – or even a family holiday!
Top factors that make an area family-friendly
Once you have a budget in mind, you can start looking at what a family-friendly area looks like for you and your family.
If you have a young family, you may want to look for areas with a strong community feel. This could include active parent groups, frequent family-friendly events and neighbourhoods where residents interact with and look out for one another.
Also, make sure to take note of the local outdoor spaces, as they can be a good indication of whether an area has been designed with families in mind:
- Are the pavements wide enough for a pram?
- How many pedestrian crossings are there?
- Are the parks well maintained and child-safe?
- Are there traffic-calming measures in place?
These can be a quick and easy way to see if the location you’re looking at could be suitable for you and your family.
How to research schools in your chosen area
Local schools are always high on the list when looking for a family home. You’ll need to consider school catchment areas and do proper research to get the full picture.
You can check gov.uk to see detailed Ofsted reports and exam results to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of prospective schools for your children. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, arrange a tour of the school so you can meet the staff, speak to current parents, and get a feel for what the school is like beyond the statistics.
If you have a desired school in mind, make sure you look at the catchment boundaries and the oversubscription criteria carefully. Living on the cusp of the catchment area or just outside could mean you miss out in years with high numbers of applications.
Understanding local amenities: parks, healthcare, and community facilities
When you have a family, it’s likely you’ll rely on local amenities quite often, so it’s a good idea to see what’s nearby. This can range from healthcare services such as GPs and dentists to green spaces and community facilities like youth clubs.
Check if the area you’re considering has GPs and dentists nearby. What do the waiting times look like, and are they accepting new patients? Access to a GP surgery can be crucial, especially with younger children, so it’s important to make sure that getting there is as easy as possible.
You’ll also want to look at the nearby community spaces – are there libraries or leisure centres close by? If the property you’re considering isn’t likely to have a garden, think about the local green spaces nearby – not just how many there are, but whether they have playgrounds and how well they’re maintained. Check to see if they’re safely accessible, child-friendly, and if you’d be happy with your children using the space.
Balancing commute times with family life
Whether you’re commuting further afield or working locally, it’s worth weighing up your journey times to ensure you’re not missing out on valuable family time during the week.
When planning your daily routine, think about school drop-off times and how long it might take you to get to work. Ensure you consider what it will be like at the time you’re travelling to account for heavier traffic at peak times. If your employer offers hybrid working, it might be that you could live further from the office without it affecting your family time.
Be realistic and weigh up the commuting times and the quality time you might lose, even if the properties are more to your liking. Less time with family can increase stress and, over time, may become unsustainable.
Safety and crime rates: how to check your potential neighbourhood
Neighbourhood crime rates are worth checking, and it can be as easy as talking to local residents or visiting the area after dark to get a feel for it.
Local residents can often give the most accurate picture of what the area is like day-to-day. Speak to neighbours and see if they feel safe in the area and if their children play outside or walk to school unaccompanied.
Future-proofing your choice: growth areas and long-term value
With a family, your needs can change over time, so it’s good to future-proof your decision to avoid another lengthy moving process down the line.
It’s good to consider a wide range of possibilities that might impact your living situation long term. If you have a young family, have you researched the secondary schools as well as the primary schools? And if you may need to upsize or downsize in the future, is it possible to do that within the same community?
Beyond what the home offers your family today, think about what the property could mean as an investment in the years ahead. Check local council plans – is there regeneration of schools, transport links or nearby housing that could improve the area’s appeal?
While it’s a big decision to make, these are the key things to bear in mind when looking for your next family home to make sure it’s the best result for you all.
