It’s a great feeling when you’ve found a neighbourhood that you can really call home. Whether it’s the busy downtown district, a suburban area with great neighbours and amenities nearby, or a peaceful rural area, there’s something for everyone in and around the London Ontario area. The key is finding what suits you best. Suburban living will be the focus of this blog, as this is the most common choice for families in London. The question on everyone’s mind is, “How do I know what neighbourhood is the best choice for my family?” Aside from driving around a neighbourhood to get a “feel” for it, there are a few key factors to consider when making this important decision.

1. Are there “good” schools nearby?

This is a question that I’m asked all the time. First of all, if you’d like to know what school zone a particular address falls in, you can visit this website for public education:
http://sls.tvdsb.ca/pub/tvdsb.htm
And this website for Catholic:
https://www.ldcsb.on.ca/School/Pages/School-Locator.aspx

Then, you can check the EQAO scores for schools on the following website to see how the students in a particular school are measuring up.
http://www.eqao.com/en/assessments/results
Keep in mind, areas with a higher ESL population tend to score lower as the students are learning a new language along with all the required material.

Would you like schools to be within walking distance, or are you ok with a bus ride? These are also factors to consider. Give the school a call to find out if bussing will be an option for your address.

2. What will your drive be like to work?

London isn’t the easiest city to get around during rush hour, so you want to take drive time into consideration for work. Getting across the city can sometimes take 45 minutes or longer in traffic, so it’s always a good idea to try out your home to work drive during peak travel times to see if it’s a drive you are ok with. You may want to choose a neighbourhood close to your work, or you may be ok with a longer drive.

3. Do you have a preference for style of home?

Certain home styles are more prevalent in some neighbourhoods and less common in others. The two-storey is the most popular style of home in London. Ranches, bungalows and split levels are some other choices, as are semi-detached and townhomes. If you are looking for a particular style, that might limit the areas you’ll be looking in. Southcrest is an affordable area for older ranch style homes, Byron and Oakridge have a mix of two-storey, split levels and ranches, while new developments are most often filled with two-storeys for example. There are a lot of options out there for every taste.

4. Do you prefer a newer or older home?

The age of home you desire will also help you choose the right area for your family. There are several new developments in and around the city with various layouts to choose from. If you prefer open concept, a newer home is probably best for your family. If you prefer a less open layout, and maybe some old world charm, an older home will be the way to go. An important question to ask yourself is how much work you would like to put into your home. While all homes regardless of age require upkeep and repairs, some homes are far less “move in ready” than others. Are you up for a complete overhaul or just some minor cosmetic updates? Is a fixer upper right for you or would you prefer to focus on landscaping a new build? Another consideration that typically goes along with the age of home is the size of yard you’re looking for. Most newer developments tend to have smaller lot sizes, while older homes usually have larger yards. Some people want a large yard with mature trees, while others prefer to limit their grass cutting time.

No matter what your preferences are, you will likely need to make some compromises. Walking distance to a great school, in your preferred style of home, but a longer drive to work. Or maybe a short bus ride to school, not far to work, and a home that needs some updating but has a great backyard.

Whatever the case may be, as a Realtor I’m here to help you sift through all the choices and find the best fit for your family!

Heidi