7 things to look for in a new neighbourhood

Whether you are seeking quiet, activity, schools, places of worship or green space, every buyer looks for a different mix in a community. Choosing a neighbourhood that suits your needs is one of the most important decisions in the home-buying process, because your environment shapes the way you experience your new home every day.

1. Commute, at the time you actually travel. Drive or take transit at 8 a.m. on a weekday, not at noon on a Sunday. SkyTrain proximity changes life in Burnaby, Coquitlam and New Westminster; the bridges shape it on the North Shore.
2. School catchments. Even without children, catchments drive resale demand. Check the district's catchment map, not the listing description.
3. Walkability and daily errands. Where is the grocery store, the pharmacy, the coffee? Neighbourhoods like Burquitlam, Brentwood and Lonsdale have changed dramatically in a decade.
4. Parks and recreation. Trails, community centres and playing fields are the reason many people choose the Tri-Cities and the North Shore.
5. Noise and traffic. Visit at night and on a weekend. Listen for arterial roads, flight paths and rail lines.
6. Future development. City plans, rezoning applications and transit expansion can raise values or add years of construction next door. Nadia keeps track of what is planned in the areas she works.
7. Neighbours and upkeep. The care visible on the street tells you about the community you are joining.

Ask someone who works there

Nadia has sold homes across Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Vancouver. Her neighbourhood pages on this site show the actual homes she has sold in each. If you want an honest read on a street, call 604-440-6295.