When you have decided that you are going to move house, the world might seem like your oyster, especially if you are just looking for a change in scenery and are not moving due to work or other commitments. However, there are a number of elements you should look for in a perfect town, and here are just some of them.
· Great Schools
If you have children, their education automatically becomes your priority, especially if you are nervous about uprooting them from the school they have previously known and loved, as well as their friends. However, as long as you pick the right school for them and support them through the process, it’s likely that settling into a new school will be a breeze. When you are looking for a good school, you might check reports and speak to other parents, as well as look around the campus and soak up the atmosphere. You might also ask yourself a few questions. Is the education system and curriculum similar to the one your children are currently in? How big are the class sizes? What is their anti-bullying policy? Is the school close to your house? As you answer these questions, consider that some schools might suit children and their learning styles better than others.
· Sustainability
If you are an eco-warrior, you may also look deeply into whether the town in question is modern enough to be sustainable and whether they have a lot of eco schemes in place. Some locations are more eco-conscious than others. For instance, green living in Bristol is a priority, and it is known to be one of the UK’s most sustainable cities, if you are planning on moving to the UK. If this is the case, you might find that their habitats, natural spaces, and wildlife are thriving. This is important, as it can allow you to rid yourself of climate guilt and reduce your carbon footprint. You might also decide to get involved with many of the campaigns that are currently running if you are passionate about spreading the word. It is not always easy to find out if a town is sustainable or not outside of your individual home, though, and you can do this by looking at local authority websites.
· Clean Streets
You should also see how clean the streets are around your potential new neighborhood and the main town. If there is a lot of litter, you might find that the town is not aesthetically pleasing and that people living there do not take pride in their town or show it respect. This litter can end up damaging the local ecosystem and can put people off visiting as well as living there. This is especially important since green spaces should also be on your agenda when looking for the perfect place to live. However, many towns have litter-picking campaigns and other schemes to get people excited and passionate about their communities.
· A Tight-Knit Community
If you are moving away from the place that you have called home for many years, you might fear isolation in your new town, and you might be worried you will not be able to assimilate into town life very easily. What makes this easier, though, is a tight-knit community that can support you through the transition. Rather than living in a commuter town full of people who keep themselves to themselves and do not even say hello when they pass you in the street, you want to find a community that truly cares and looks out for each other. This community might raise money for local causes, host events, and set up social groups that allow people to connect and get to know each other.
· Great Transport Links
However much you love your new town, you do not want to be stuck in it forever. This means you should look around for a town with excellent and unfaultable transport links to other major hubs and even less well-known parts of the world. These links should be regular and reliable, and should be located near your base. For instance, you should make sure there is a train nearby with direct routes to the cities around you, as well as buses that can allow you to get from one area of the town to another if you are too tired to walk. You might also spend some time driving along the roads and checking for potholes, roadworks, and other disturbances that could put you off driving.
