Let’s face it; finding a home in the big city is tough. It’s often impossible to find a home within your budget, let alone a home you actually want! Typically there are some areas where you have to make some compromises if you want to find a place to live. That being said, it’s important to know which features can be compromised and which cannot. Here are some of the things that are absolute deal breakers when looking for a home in the city.
You might think a place is perfect, but take a look out the window. If all you see is a brick wall three feet in front of you then you might want to reconsider. Not getting enough natural light might seem like something you can live without, but over time it will get harder and harder to deal with. No amount of interior design work or furniture can improve the lack of natural light. Coupling with natural light is the presence of greenery nearby. It’s incredible how much the presence of trees on a city street brings a sense of life and tranquility to a neighborhood. This might not be a deal breaker for you, but it’s another long-term consideration that will definitely start wearing you down.
In terms of the actual structure of the home, low ceilings should be avoided if possible. Big cities often have strict zoning codes that mean that you might be stuck with those low ceilings forever. You can try to make a space feel bigger all you want, but there’s no substitute for having natural space. Also, it’s important to be wary of new construction that’s absolutely devoid of life. There’s not much you can do with a plain white box of a home other than going with a modern style. Look for homes that have some sense of history so that you can play off that with your design. It will also help you feel like you’re part of the city and its history, as opposed to living in a space that could be found anywhere in the world.
Finally, make sure you have good neighbors! Nothing can make you want to pull your hair out more than having a set of electronic musicians living next door! Take all of these factors into consideration when looking for a home in the city. You won’t regret it!
Read the full article here: Real Estate Advice: 5 Deal-Breakers When Buying a Place in the City