However luxurious a property is, its location and surroundings matter just as much. Because property is immovable — once you buy it, you can’t take it with you — it’s worth paying attention to the area around it before investing.
In UK cities, walk around on foot to look for clues. Visit local parks and pubs at different times of day. Are the cars around the area clean and well maintained? Do you like the local shops and restaurants? Are the walls covered in graffiti? Google Maps can already help answer a lot of this when you’re researching from overseas. Beyond that, you should also check the specific property you have your eye on — is it clearly noisy from neighbors? Is it under a flight path or on a rail line? And are there any upcoming planning proposals that could change the area — for better or worse?
Police Mapping Website
If you want to understand the crime rate, the police’s own mapping website can help — it shows local crime hotspots, broken down by category such as theft and anti-social behavior.
School Performance Rankings
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/
If you have children, education is naturally a concern — we’ve previously written about the relationship between school catchment areas and property prices — and this school performance information is a useful reference.
Noise Level Checker
http://www.extrium.co.uk/noiseviewer.html
There’s even a noise-level checker, which, once you’ve checked it, should help you avoid the classic movie scenario of ending up next to a house full of partying university students.
Environment Agency Website
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/?lang=_e
If you’re unlucky enough to be hit by flooding, flood risk can have a significant effect on your insurance premiums, property value and quality of life. The Environment Agency (for England and Wales) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency provide flood information showing whether a given area is at risk, and why, in detail.
Have a question about this guide? Leave a comment below, or ask Zagdim directly.
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