Choosing the right neighbourhood is as important as choosing the right home. Here are some features to consider when scoping out locations:
• Getting around: Make sure potential neighbourhoods are suited to your favourite method of transportation — that means plenty of bike paths for cycling or lots of lanes to avoid car congestion. Census data can give you a good idea of which Canadian communities are most accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Plenty of interesting data about transportation and other aspects of your community can be found on Statistics Canada’s website.
• Demographics: Many of us like to live with people who are in a similar life stage. A quick scan of the census data for a specific community can tell you useful things about its inhabitants, such as the age of local kids and even what kind of work people do. Factor this in when making your decision and keep in mind what schools, daycare facilities, retirement homes and jobs are available, depending on your family’s needs and career paths.
• Affordability: An affordable neighbourhood is important. Is the main street filled with pricey restaurants you’ll only be able to afford on special occasions? Are there fun, free things to do, like libraries or a skating rink? Before committing to a neighbourhood, make sure you can afford to live in it.
• Environmental factors: An area full of bars and nightlife might not work if you have small children. If you love nature, you might want to pick somewhere with a nice park nearby. Or, if you have a dog, proximity to dog parks and walking trails might be a top priority.
Visit census.gc.ca to find useful demographic information for planning your move.
— News Canada
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
