Will your street go all out to celebrate or commemorate behind closed doors?
The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort takes place this Saturday, 6th May 2023 and, thanks to an extra bank holiday, we can look forward to a three-day long celebration.
UK residents are being encouraged to gather with neighbours to host street parties and community picnics as part of The Coronation Big Lunch. While sharing a slice of quiche with your next door neighbour and debating the jam and cream order with Sheila from down the road might not be everyone’s cup of tea, others revel in community spirit and some friendly banter with those around you.
A respectable neighbourhood is a priority for our house buyers, but when it comes to extravagant events such as the Jubilee and the Coronation, personal preferences about how to celebrate can differ. So, whether you’re sitting on the fence or chatting over it, we’ve compiled a list of things to consider when researching a potential new neighbourhood:
- The internet has made researching anything easier and house buying is no different. Scroll through social media to find community groups and see what is being talked about. Check Google Maps and the surrounding area to suss out local amenities and use websites such as Rightmove to study property price patterns. If prices are increasing, that could show the area is benefiting from investment.
- Ask around if there are plans for developments, and if so, what this could look like. A new housing estate could bring new transport links and amenities, but also create traffic congestion.
- Speaking of traffic, is your coveted property near a busy road? This could be a barrier for any street party, whilst also creating a constant undesirable level of noise pollution.
- Everyone wants to feel safe in their home and the area they live in. Checking the local crime statistics in your postcode can put your mind at ease.
- Fingers crossed the sun shines for the Coronation, but it would be worth having a rainy-day back up plan to prevent the drizzle putting a dampener on the celebrations. It would also be beneficial to do a flood risk assessment of any new neighbourhood you are researching. If it turns out to be a regular flood risk area, this could be a dealbreaker.
- If you have school-age children, check which schools are in your catchment area and consider site visits to see if they fulfil your criteria. Are they walking distance or is there public transport?
- Check the census and Office for National Statistics to see who your potential new neighbours are.
Finally, there’s no better way to get to know somewhere than taking a trip and experiencing it for yourself. Visit the local shops, have a coffee in a café and stroll around the nearest park. You might get talking to locals and be able to ask questions and gain an insight into what it’s like to live there.
When you buy a new home, you are also buying into the neighbourhood so take the time to ensure this fits in with your values and needs.