Ask a Wahi REALTOR®: How Do You Suggest a Buyer Narrows Down Neighbourhood Options Based on Location, Commute, and Local Amenities?

For many homebuyers, choosing where to put down roots isn’t easy, but Wahi Realtor Barb Funt has some helpful tips to help them refine their search.

By Josh Sherman | 2 minute read

Homebuyers need to consider much more than the price tag when choosing a neighbourhood.

Buying a home is a long-term commitment.

Affordability aside, it’s generally easier for renters to switch up neighbourhoods if they want a change than it is for owners. So while homebuyers benefit from the stability of ownership (and growing equity), they should spend some serious time considering what type of neighbourhood they want to live in before taking the leap. “First, they should make a list of their priorities,” says Funt.

These, of course, will vary from homebuyer to homebuyer depending on personal preferences. Some may prioritize proximity to amenties, while others may want the peace and quiet of rural living. Wahi’s 2025 What Homeseekers Want Survey reveals what features Canadians want in a home, and it also shows how much preferences can differ from place to place.

However, there are some general tips that should help homebuyers narrow their search and decide what’s the right neighbourhood for them.

1. Check out the school zones  

“If they (homebuyers) have kids, I would say the school zones and the quality of schools is big,” says Funt. Each Wahi listing includes a list of nearby schools as well as a ranking for each, according to the Fraser Institute, a Canadian thinktank that provides an annual report card grading primary and secondary schools across Alberta, B.C., Ontario, and Quebec.

2. Visit the neighbourhood in person 

When househunting, you’ll be attending showings, giving you some exposure to the local community. However, even before you start booking showings or attending open houses, you may want to spend a little time in the area. “I would say drive or walk through the area to get a feel for the neighbourhood,” Funt recommends. It can be difficult to gauge distances on a map, for example. An amenity may appear close but could be a 30-minute walk, for example.

3. Consider the commute 

Funt says the commute from work is one of the main considerations for homebuyers, and it’s easy to see why. Some research suggests that purchasing a more affordable home further away from an urban core can end up costing buyers more in the long run due to expensive and timely commutes.

4. Make sure the neighbourhood is safe 

A neighbourhood may check a lot of boxes for a homebuyer, but you’ll want to ensure it’s safe, too. “You can look up crime stats online,” suggests Funt. The Toronto Police Service’s Public Safety Data Portal is one resource homebuyers can refer to. Another is Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index, which Wahi recently used to rank the 15 safest cities in Canada.

5. Evaluate the resale potential 

Even for end users, buying real estate is an investment. Check historical data trends to see how home prices in your chosen neighbourhood have held up over time. Some neighbourhoods are outliers when it comes to pricing. For instance, even during a market downturn a particularly desirable neighbourhood may not see the declines elsewhere. Wahi’s app and website provides homebuyers with loads of data, including previous sold prices as well as the Market Pulse tool, which gauges bidding competition across approximately 400 neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area.