How To Choose The Right Neighborhood For Your First Home In Accra

Once you have purchased your home in Ghana, you can renovate it multiple times as per your needs and lifestyle. However, you cannot change the location, neighbourhood, or community in which the house is situated. For this reason, the neighbourhood is often the first factor to consider when choosing where to buy a home in Accra. 

Real estate agents and experts in Ghana generally believe that picking the right neighbourhood is as important as picking the right property. If you select the wrong neighbourhood for your first home in Ghana, you could experience time-consuming commutes, increased levels of stress, and dissatisfaction.

If you are considering moving to a new neighbourhood, you should read the 5 Hottest Real Estate Neighborhoods in Accra to buy a home.

What To Look For In A Neighborhood When Buying A Home In Accra

It is important to understand that being in the right neighbourhood in Accra is equally important as being in the right house. Hence, do your due diligence when it comes to buying a house in Ghana before signing the contract document. Consider the following 5 things before choosing a neighbourhood in Accra.

1. Is the Neighborhood Safe?

The safety of you and your family comes before anything else. This is because you want to make sure you live in a neighbourhood in Accra where you have peace of mind. Find out from your real estate agent whether the neighbourhood is a low-crime area and what the crime rate has been over the last few years. Make sure to visit the neighbourhood during the night to confirm the presence of streetlights and security cameras.

2. What Social Amenities Are Available?

Certain amenities, like exercise facilities, underground parking, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a children’s playground, can make a neighborhood a desirable place to live. These amenities add value to the neighborhood and can have a direct impact on the future value of your home. Remember that extra features might be nice, but they should be something that’s really meaningful to your convenience and your lifestyle. 

3. Is the Neighborhood Accessible?

The accessibility of a home in Ghana is one of the things homebuyers look for when searching to buy a house in Accra. For example, East Legon in Accra is known for its high accessibility.  Real estate agents in Ghana consider a neighbourhood to be accessible when it has a variety of transportation options available, making it easy to get around without a car. The neighbourhood's proximity to major roads and the availability of parking spaces make it a prime one.

4.  What is Near the Neighborhood?  

Every neighbourhood has its own unique features that make it different from other neighbourhoods. If you're contemplating living in a new area in Accra, it’s important to think about nearby features that will affect your level of contentment. East Legon is the neighbourhood again. The neighbourhood is an 11-minute drive from Kotoka International Airport and a 38-minute drive from Tema Harbour, and it also connects well with the Accra Mall and Airport residential area.

4. What is the Conduct of the Neighborhood?  

Getting to know the neighbourhood and its neighbours can be difficult if you don't live there yet. However, there are some proactive steps you can take to familiarize yourself with the area. One way is to drive through the neighbourhood at different times of the day and week. This will give you a sense of what goes on in the neighbourhood and what kind of activity you can expect. 

5. What is the Future of the Neighborhood?  

When buying a house in an up-and-coming neighbourhood in Accra, it is crucial to analyze the future of the neighbourhood. The health and future of a neighbourhood will keep your home's market value high and ensure you enjoy the neighbourhood for years to come. For example, housing prices in a particular neighbourhood can affect its future. A neighbourhood with rising housing prices is likely to be more desirable and have a higher market value. 

What Makes a Neighborhood Desirable in Accra?

So, how can homebuyers in Accra decide what kind of neighbourhood is desirable to live in? If you are a young couple, search for a house in Accra to buy with your future needs in mind. For instance, if you are planning to have children and start a family, then it may be better to direct your home search to find a larger home in a good neighbourhood with educational institutes nearby. 

On the other hand, if you're someone who travels a lot for work and is constantly on the move, then buying a smaller house in the city centre with easy access to transport infrastructure makes more sense. In this case, you should look for homes in neighbourhoods such as Cantonments, Ridge, and Osu.

Also, to determine whether a neighbourhood is desirable or not, make sure to visit the place at different times of the day. Taking a visit in the morning will help you see what the neighbourhood traffic looks like, and during the night, you will be able to tell if the area is noisy or potentially unsafe during the night.

Buying a house in Ghana? Talk To The Neighbors First

If you're considering buying a house in Ghana, then getting to know your neighbour is a step you can't skip. Because this helps you figure out whether you’re a good match in the neighbourhood or not. After all, compatibility plays a critical role, considering you’ll most likely be near them for quite some time in your life. Nobody wants to live in a tricky neighbour situation, right? Moreover, in case of an emergency, they’re likely the first people you'll turn to for help. It’s always good to be on friendly terms with them before you move in.