Love Where You Live: Choosing a Home That Suits Your Lifestyle

Joel Hynes
Feb 13
4 min read

Picture this: You've just moved into your new home. It looks great, the neighbourhood is nice, and everything should be perfect. But something feels... off. Maybe your daily commute is longer than expected, or your weekends feel dull because the nearest café is 20 minutes away. Suddenly, your dream home doesn't feel so dreamy.

This is why choosing a home isn't just about granite benchtops and spacious living areas—it’s about finding a place that truly fits your lifestyle. A house can be beautiful, but it might not be the right fit if it doesn't support how you live, work, and unwind.

So, how do you make sure you love where you live? Let's dive in.

1. Define Your Lifestyle First, Then Find the Home

Before you start scrolling through listings and falling in love with random houses, stop and think about your lifestyle. Ask yourself:

✔ How do you spend your weekdays? Do you work from home, commute daily, or need quick access to public transport?

✔ What does your ideal weekend look like? Do you want to be near the beach, close to hiking trails, or within walking distance of restaurants?

✔ Who do you spend time with? If friends and family visit often, you might need space for entertaining. If you love solitude, a quiet area might be better.

✔ What amenities matter to you? Schools, gyms, parks, cafés, nightlife, and shopping—what's essential for your day-to-day happiness?

Too often, buyers focus on what's inside the house but forget how they'll live in it.

2. Location, Location… Lifestyle?

They say location is everything in real estate, and they're right. But it's not just about property value but your happiness.

City, Suburbs, or Countryside?

Your choice of location will shape your lifestyle in ways you might not expect.

City living = Fast-paced, easy access to cafés, culture, and career opportunities—but often higher prices and less space.
Suburban life = A balance of convenience and comfort, often ideal for families. More green spaces but potentially longer commutes.
Countryside/coastal living = Peaceful, spacious, and great for nature lovers, but further from amenities and job opportunities.

Neighbourhood Vibes Matter

Even within a city, different neighbourhoods offer different lifestyles.

🏡 Do you want a buzzing, high-energy environment? Inner-city living or trendy suburbs might suit you.

🌳 Craving peace and quiet? Look for tree-lined streets, parks, and family-friendly areas.

🏖 Love the outdoors? Living near the beach or bushland might be worth the extra travel time.

3. Size & Layout: Does It Work for Your Lifestyle?

It’s tempting to fall for a big, beautiful house—but bigger isn’t always better.

Consider These Factors:

✔ Space vs. Maintenance – A big house might sound great until you realise you’re spending weekends cleaning rooms you don’t use.

✔ Open Plan vs. Separate Rooms – Do you love open spaces for entertaining, or do you prefer cosy, defined areas?

✔ Home Office Space – If you work from home, a quiet and comfortable office area is a must.

✔ Outdoor Area – Love gardening or entertaining? A backyard is great—but only if you actually use it.

Your home should fit your lifestyle, not create extra work.

4. Future-Proof Your Home Choice

Your lifestyle today isn’t necessarily your lifestyle five or ten years from now. A home should suit you now but also adapt to potential changes.

Consider:

Planning to start a family? Think about extra space and proximity to schools.
Career changes? A job move could impact your location needs.
Retirement? If this is your long-term home, is it easy to maintain as you age?
Resale value? Even if you love the home, will future buyers?

Thinking ahead prevents the dreaded "we need to move again" situation.

5. The Little Things Make a Big Difference

Sometimes, the smallest details make or break your love for a home.

🚗 Parking: Struggling to find a park every day will get old real quick.

🛍 Shopping: How far are you from supermarkets, restaurants, and essential stores?

🎵 Noise Levels: A house near a busy road, school, or construction site might be noisier than expected.🚶

Walkability: Can you walk to your favourite places, or do you need to drive everywhere?

These everyday conveniences (or inconveniences) will affect your happiness far more than you realise.

6. Test Before You Invest

If you’re unsure about a neighbourhood, test it before committing.

🏡 Rent before buying – If you're unsure, renting in the area for a few months can help you decide if it’s the right fit.

☕ Spend time in the area – Visit on weekdays and weekends to get a feel for traffic, noise, and local culture.

🗣 Talk to locals – If possible, chat with neighbours about what it’s like to live there.

Nothing beats first-hand experience when choosing a place to live.

Conclusion: Find a Home That Feels Like Home

At the end of the day, a house isn’t just a building—it’s where your life happens. It should complement your lifestyle, support your daily routines, and bring you joy.

Instead of just asking, “Does this home look good?” ask, “Does this home feel right for me?” Because when you truly love where you live, every day feels a little more like home.