Exploring

Exploring your new local area, new people, new places

It’s scary, it’s like going to a new school, or a new workplace.

What if you don’t meet anyone you like?

What if you don’t make new friends?

What if the people are horrible and you want to move back to your old area?

Buying a new home is exhausting, exhilarating, and sometimes you wonder why you are doing it.

It’s more than a new home, it’s a new location, a new area to get to know, new neighbours too.

How will you know that you have made the right decision?

We fixate on finding the right home, and paying the right price, however do we spend/invest enough time on all the extra stuff – neighbours, local turnover, the access to and from where we need to go, distance from friends, coffee, a new gym, football club, RSL etc? Do our suppliers go to our new area or will we need to source new ones – maybe you get a fruit and veg weekly delivery currently, your book club, all the little things that bring you joy or ease your life.

Exploring, Walk, Drive, Stop, and Chat

It’s worth the time to check out what you can before you buy. Do a walk around, does anyone come out and chat? Does one neighbour have a number of cameras and no one else has any? Are there trucks parked? Go to the local milk bar (if there are any left) or shop, buy something, engage in conversation, people love to gossip about other people, they also love to talk their area up.

Do a slow drive around the neighbourhood (without being a traffic pain). Particularly check out the neighbours that back on to your potential new home. I remember investigating a neighbourhood for a client and it didn’t show on google maps however in the street behind the house was a decrepit old building covered in graffiti, with other homes definitely to a different standard than the one my client was pursuing.

The McDonalds that was an attraction when you were looking, will smell all day of cooking, it will have traffic, delivery vans, and people hanging out in the carpark.

Is the road a short cut for anything? Are there speed humps in local streets but not in this one?

Exploring and seeking help

Jump onto the local Councils website and look up activities, local news, recycling, local businesses, and the economic overview. Some will have a section for new residents.

https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/About-Us/New-Residents

https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Explore-Yarra-Ranges

https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Home

You are the only one who knows what will irk you or inspire you and even then, sometimes you need to see something to know how it makes you feel.

Local Facebook Noticeboards and Community Groups often talk about activities that you can be a part of. Volunteer with a local group, go to the local Historical Society, join the U3A, visit the Community House, there are lots of options to meet new people.

Making new friends is important, however don’t forget your old friends. It will be different once you are no longer living as close by, things will change and your relationship will probably change too. Try and set up a time for them to visit your new home, go to a cafe, find a walking trail, or just enjoy lunch in your new home. If you can make it a regular event then the friendship is more likely to continue.

Research, research, research, because it was hard work selling your old home, finding, and buying your new, plus it is all expensive, so make good, research based decisions.

I have many stories of people seeking out a new home and the process they go through. Sometimes it’s reassuring to read or hear others’ stories so please check out some of my clients stories.

Exploring your options when buying or selling a home? Please get in touch and we can chat.