Moving House: Which local amenities are important to you?

Here are some of the top considerations to help you decide.

Schools - Are school catchment areas important?

If you have young children, you’ll want to be within catchment of good schools. When you’re looking at new houses, make sure you ask the developer or agent for more information about schools in the area, so you can make education a top priority. If you are looking for a new home with Barratt Homes, you can tick a checkbox on our development pages which display where the nearest schools and colleges are.

Public Transport - How do you want to travel?

If you don’t have a car or if you prefer to take public transport, then good transport links will be near the top of your list for must-have local amenities. Whether you’re looking for a quick commute to work, or easy access to surrounding towns and cities, make sure you think about transport routes and find out where the nearest train and bus stations are located. Also consider how easy it is to access nearby motorways and how far away the nearest airport is, whether you need to travel on business or for holidays.

Gyms - Is health and fitness a top priority?

For avid gym-goers, it’s worth finding a home within easy reach of good sports facilities, so you can stay fit and healthy without venturing too far from your new house. If you’re moving as a family and your kids are into football, dance or any other activity, keep an eye out for local clubs and groups in the surrounding area.

Shops - Do you want shops nearby?

For many people, a nearby supermarket is a major plus-point when moving house. If you don’t want to travel far to stock up on milk and bread, find out how long it takes to reach the local supermarket, while a nearby post office, bank or high street shops may also be a bonus.

Hospitality - What about evening entertainment?

If you like to make the most of your evenings, it’s handy having entertainment nearby. Find out how long it takes to get to the local pub, bars, or theatre, so you know how much effort is required for a well-earned night out. Use Google to see where the best local restaurants are and read reviews, while cinemas or other complexes will be easy to find too, whether you look online or ask your new neighbours or people from the area.

Make use of maps and apps

To find out what local amenities are nearby, it’s worth making use of apps, maps and online tools. Google Maps is a good place to start, while Walkscore is a great tool for discovering how many errands you can easily complete on foot from your new home.