So, how do you choose the right neighbourhood?
Start by creating a list of what you need in a neighbourhood.
Consider the pros and cons of the neighbourhood and its surroundings. What other factors may be significant? Look at things such as a range in property value, type of property, schools and proximity to employment, comforts and other avenues of life.
To create your short-list, it pays to start by asking the right questions:
What type of neighbourhood environment do you seek? An urban vibe? A close-to-town location that blends the aspects of both city and suburban life? A leafy suburban feel? A laid-back, out-in-the-country setting?
What types of shopping, restaurants and businesses would you like nearby? A shopping mall? A favourite shop? Sports fields and open parkland? A movie theatre? A wide array of restaurants? Art galleries and museums? A library? Live music venues? This question is related to the one above and will also help you define what matters most to you.
What leisure-time activities do you enjoy? Many of today’s new home communities offer a myriad of community amenities that can support interests or hobbies you may have. You’ll find community clubhouses, pools, tennis courts, hiking trails, nature areas and other facilities. Community residents often form clubs based around shared interests and activities — from travel, movies, wine-tastings and more.
What type of commute do you seek? Do you work from home? Do you travel frequently and thus want quick access to the airport? If you commute daily to work, would you prefer to do so by car or mass transit? And how many minutes each way would you ideally prefer to spend travelling to and from work?
Single-family homes and the suburbs go hand in hand
For many people, home calls to mind an image of tree-lined streets with single-family homes with larger yards arrayed along winding sidewalks.
If you want more space and privacy and don’t require quick access to the heart of your city, the suburbs may be the place for you. Don’t fall victim to the misconception of suburbia as neighbourhoods filled with homes that are “cookie-cutter” or have no personality. Not true! Today’s new home communities offer a wide array of home plans and elevations (the look of the front of your home) that allow you to personalize your home to reflect your individuality.
Many master-planned new home communities also offer a plethora of amenities, such as hike and bike trails and clubs, in which you can take part. If you have kids, plan to start a family or simply find the lifestyle appealing, the suburbs can offer a community experience that meets your needs.
Of course, many of you likely grew up in suburban homes like these. They were the primary style of housing for the majority of the 20th century. Today, there is a far greater variety of housing and neighbourhood styles available for you to explore.
Low-maintenance homes and communities
Neighbourhoods containing so-called zero-lot-line housing can be perfect for many people. If you travel often or are away from your home for extended periods of time — or simply don’t have the time or desire to maintain a large lawn — a zero-lot-line home may be ideal for you.
Zero-lot line houses extend close to the edge of their property lines. Less yard space means fewer yard care responsibilities but a larger amount of inside space. Many communities offering this type of housing include yard care and even exterior maintenance, allowing for the so-called “lock and leave” lifestyle where your home is tended to while you travel.
Riverview, an estate along Thika road, is made up solely of zero-lot-line houses. The homes range from 1,570 to 2,300 sq. ft.
Whether you’re a single person with a demanding job and travel schedule, an empty nester who spends part of the year in another location or a two-income household that would rather spend its time on things other than home and lawn care, a zero-lot-line home with some elements of maintenance included may be ideal for you.
Transit-oriented development clusters housing, retail and office space near mass transit
Do you own a car? If so, do you relish making a hefty drive to work? If you answered “no” to either question, a transit-oriented development (TOD) neighbourhood may be just what you need.
These neighbourhoods are specifically built with public transportation in mind,” like a rail line or train stop, for example. They surround high-traffic businesses with cost-efficient housing.
Neighbourhoods centred around mass transit options create a compact community that combines business, retail and residential space in one urban area that’s easy to manoeuvre. Young singles, empty nesters and any buyer that wants to cut the commute and live a simpler, yet urban lifestyle may find transit-oriented communities a great fit.
A popular example of a TOD neighbourhood is Fanaka estate located along the Southern Bypass which happens to be one of the major highways in Kenya. Living in a TOD neighbourhood like Fanaka could drastically cut down on that traffic-logged travel time.
Are urban-infill neighbourhoods right for you?
If you’re not ready to head to the suburbs, up-and-coming neighbourhoods could be an alternative for you. These new home neighbourhoods are located closer to the city or to downtown than many suburbs typically are, yet still provide a feeling of community. Here you can find single-family new homes or townhomes that are often less expensive than homes in the urban core.
These communities are often referred to as urban in-fill communities. An example of this type of community is Tamarind Valley, well planned residential estate targeting low-income households and comprising of 850 units of varying configurations (apartments, maisonettes and bungalows) each unit size ranging between 71 and 128 sqm. The project includes a shopping mall.
New homes and new home communities offer something for everyone
By asking the right questions and considering all of your options, you can find the right neighbourhood suited to you.
Related: How neighbourhood safety influences property prices