Liveability: what makes a suburb the right choice for you?

Explore this guide for first-time home buyers on how to choose the suburb that’s right for you based on amenities, lifestyle, and community. 

‍‍For first-time home buyers, finding the right suburb isn't just about proximity to the city or affordability—it's about discovering a place that enhances your quality of life. Lifestyle  means different things to different people, but generally it relates to the liveability of a suburb. Liveability encompasses the availability of essential services, access to public transport, and a sense of community. This guide will help you understand what aspects of liveability can help you identify a place that fits your needs.

What makes a suburb the right choice?

Liveability is crucial when choosing where to buy your first home. These key factors not only contribute to your daily comfort but also to the long-term value of your investment:

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1. Walkability: How easy is it to get around without a car? Can you walk to school, groceries, cafes, a GP or medical centre? If that’s the case, it’s likely you’re in a 20 minute neighbourhood. That’s a strong indicator of long term value.
2. Public transport: Does the suburb have good connections to the places that you need to travel, or the wider metropolitan area?
3. Social infrastructure: Are there parks, community centres, and sports facilities nearby?
4. Safety and demographics: Is the suburb known for being safe and welcoming? Does it have a connected and welcoming community with a demographic profile that matches your life stage?

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How to identify a liveable suburb

• Walking distance check: What essentials can you reach within a 1km walk? This includes shops, schools, public transport, and medical centers. Websites like Walk Score can help you measure the walkability of any address.
  
  
• Assess the amenities: Reflect on what amenities are an important part of your lifestyle. For example, families might prioritise schools and parks, while young professionals may look for vibrant cafes.
  
  

Public Transport Check what public transport modes are available in the local area you’re looking at. Is it important to be near a train line or light rail connection? Is there a convenient bus route? Check out public transport route mappers like City Mapper or simply put your commonly travelled routes into Google Maps public transport. Beyond daily convenience, homes in close proximity to public transport are more likely to hold their value over time.

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If you want to learn more about the liveability of your suburb, check out this liveability tool. 

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Choosing what's right for you

Every suburb has its unique characteristics and challenges. Consider what aspects of a suburb's liveability are most important to you and align those with your lifestyle and budget. Make a list of your top priorities and use them as a guide when evaluating different suburbs.

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How to evaluate a suburb's potential

• Community vibes and lifestyle: Each suburb has its own character; what lifestyle are you looking for? Is a vibrant nightlife important, or are quiet streets and family-friendly activities more your speed?
• Future growth: Research any planned infrastructure or property developments. These can indicate potential growth in property values and improvements in lifestyle amenities.
• Long-term goals: Consider how the suburb fits into your long-term life plans. Is this somewhere you can see yourself growing older, or is it a stepping stone on your property journey?
  
  

How Mondus facilitates your choice

At Mondus, we understand the importance of finding the right home in the right suburb. We offer tailored property advice and financial solutions to help first-time home buyers find properties with good growth potential in suburbs that meet their lifestyle needs. Mondus offers an innovative financing option: our 0% deposit shared equity home loans that can help you make the dream of home ownership possible.

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We’ll also help you find the right home with our advanced data analytics and support from a personalised buyers agentWhether you're drawn to the bustling streets of a dynamic urban suburb or the tranquil pace of a leafy outer suburb, the choice should support your lifestyle and financial goals. 

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Ready to find the suburb that matches your ideal lifestyle? Contact Mondus today to explore how our flexible financing option can help you start your home ownership journey.