Friday, 6 March 2015

Location, Location, Location.


It's a phrase you often hear in a real estate context, naturally meaning that the location of the property is the most important thing to consider. However I think there are other contexts within which location should be considered and ways it should be looked at. For example, if you're renting and there's a nice convenience store nearby, with plenty of sugary snacks or alcohol easily available is that a good location? What about the location of your flatmates if you're sharing accommodation, and they have parties at all hours and are always drinking the last of your milk? Contrary to popular wisdom location isn't as fixed and permanent as it might at first seem. A property in a good location can change overnight - you may choose a great neighbourhood but what if the council approves a new landfill or some nice tall buildings to block the sunlight? What if you're sharing accommodation at a backpackers in a nice central area, the location of that bread, milk or coffee you bought yesterday can suddenly become a mystery if your fellow travellers have sticky fingers. Or if your bed is located next to someone with a serious case of sleep apnoea it brings a new meaning to the importance of location not just on the map but within the premises Also, depending on when you inspect the room you may not realize just how often those trains go past (promoted as being close to transportation in the advertisement), bells ringing and wheels grinding. Picking a commercial location for your offices can be just as fraught with dangers. A new and "exotic" company may open shop next door, or a purveyor of racy literature. Location, Location, Location has a lot of wisdom inherent in it. However what is within that location, what might change about it and most of all a holistic mindset should be focussed upon when making that all important decision.