How to research an area before you move

By Chris Pollitt · Last checked 6 November 2026 · 2 min read

You can change almost anything about a home except where it is. Spending a few evenings researching an area before you commit is one of the best uses of time in the whole moving process. Here's a checklist to work through.

Prices and the market

Look at what homes have sold for on the streets you're interested in, and how prices have moved over several years. Check which streets are the most and least expensive in the town, and why. A street that's cheaper than its neighbours may be next to a main road, a railway or an industrial estate. It may also simply be overlooked and good value.

Crime

Police crime data shows recorded incidents by type for each area. Remember that the figures are counts, not rates. A town centre with shops, pubs and a station will always record more than a quiet cul-de-sac. Look at the types of crime and how close they are to the home, rather than the total.

Flood risk

Check whether the home is in an Environment Agency flood alert or warning area, and look at surface water risk too, because heavy rain affects more homes than rivers do. Ask the seller whether the home has ever flooded, and get an insurance quote before you exchange.

Schools

If schools matter, don't rely on distance alone. Check each school's admission rules and last year's furthest distance offered, which councils publish. Look at Ofsted reports and the date of the last inspection.

Transport and commuting

Try the commute at the time you'd actually travel. Check how often trains or buses run in the evening and at weekends, the cost of a season ticket, and whether there's parking at the station.

Broadband and mobile signal

If you work from home, check which broadband is available at the postcode, especially whether full fibre is available. Test mobile signal on your own phone when you visit.

Noise and environment

Busy roads, flight paths, railways and late-night venues can all affect day-to-day life. Visit on a weekday rush hour and on a Friday or Saturday night. In some parts of the country, it's also worth checking radon levels and past mining.

Everyday life

• How far is it to a supermarket, GP and dentist? Are the GP and dentist taking new patients?
• Are there parks, places to eat, gyms or whatever matters to you?
• What's the council tax band, and what does the council charge?
• Are there big planning applications nearby, such as new estates, which could change the area?

Walk around

Data only tells you so much. Walk the streets, have a coffee locally, and if you get the chance, chat to a neighbour. People are usually happy to tell you what an area is really like.