Learn About the Ten Tips You Need to Know When Choosing a Neighborhood Overseas
When you are moving overseas, one of the basic things that you need to care for is your accommodation. You’ve successfully narrowed down the country and city, but what kind of research goes into choosing a neighborhood overseas? No doubt, finding a new home in a completely new place can be a bit challenging. You would want to find your home in an area that caters to your requirements.
So, if you are looking to buy a house and still wondering which neighborhood to choose, you must do thorough research. The more information you acquire about different areas, the easier it will be for you to make your decision. To begin with, create a list of what you are looking for. Keep a list of the important amenities you need in your neighborhood, for example commuting, airport, shopping malls, restaurant, schools, colleges, and etc.
If you love outdoor activities, look for regions that are mountainous. You will enjoy going for hikes, mountain climbing, and other outdoor sports. For entertainment, find out whether there are clubs nearby. Also, one of the most important factors that you need to consider is safety. Ensure that the area you are moving into has a low crime rate.
If you’re planning to move and are researching about the neighborhood, here are ten tips to follow when choosing a neighborhood overseas.
1. Check Crime Statistics of the Neighborhood
Your safety and security no doubt top your priority list. Therefore, the first tip when choosing a neighborhood overseas is to check the crime rates of your area. Don’t just stop there. Once you’ve done your research, short-listed a few local areas and get your information from authentic real estate websites. You can also get in touch with the homeowner association.
2. Lookout for Warning Signs
If you come across a property with unbelievable low value, look out for warning signs. Check for the gas supply, the land your property stands on among others. Once you have locked your money in a property like this, you may not be able to resell it easily.
3. Transportation Options
Check out if the locality or neighborhood you are planning to move in has easy access to public transport facilities. It will drastically affect your day-to-day activities such as going to work or dropping your kids to school daily.
4. School District
If you have kids or plan to have kids in the future, settling in a good school district would be a smart move. So try to find out schools around the area that offer good sports programs, extracurricular activities and cater to your child’s interest. Most global nomads living abroad with their children will rate local schooling as one of the most important considerations when moving abroad.
5. Expat Lifestyle
The neighborhood you choose majorly impacts your lifestyle. Based on the kind of lifestyle you want for you and your family, choose your locality. That lifestyle abroad may be different depending on whether you are single, married or have children.
6. Amenities
Another tip for choosing a neighborhood overseas is to determine the amenities that you need. Once you have sorted them out, check whether the localities you are planning to move to, offer some facilities such as gym, clubhouse, swimming pool, local attractions, grocery, shopping mall, etc.
7. Proximity from Different Facilities
You must consider the distance or proximity between your house and the amenities. You wouldn’t want to walk for miles or drive tirelessly to get basic groceries, go to movies, or hit the gym. Remember that exercise for global expats is just as important to their health as when they are back home.
8. Cultural Diversity
Today people from every part of the world have settled in different countries because of work or education opportunities. Therefore, when it comes to choosing a home, it is for you to decide whether you want a diverse culture or people of your own community as your neighbors. Experiencing a new culture is one of the best parts of being an expatriate.
9. Outdoor Facility
If you own a pet, then outdoor space would be a key factor for you. So when you choose a residential area, ensure that they have outdoor amenities such as sidewalks, walking trails, parks, dog parks, etc.
10. Affordability
After you have considered all other factors, your budget plays the biggest role in finding a home. Hence, based on your spending capability, select a neighborhood where you get all the amenities that you require.
We hope that you will benefit from one of the above tips on your next expatriation abroad or overseas retirements. This information can also be valuable for global nomads and citizens already living the expat life. As always, it also make sense to obtain a global medical plan when living abroad in any neighbourhood that you may move abroad to.