Choosing a Location for a New Build: Transport, Amenities and Future Development

When choosing a location for a new build, it pays to assess three things at the same time: how easily you can actually reach work and services, what amenities are nearby, and what will be built in the surrounding area over the coming years. You can alter an apartment or house later, but you cannot change its location. Check everything on the spot, at different times of day and in the official plans, not just from visualisations and brochures.

Why location matters more than layout

The layout can often still be adjusted during construction, and the furnishing of a flat can be changed at any time. The surroundings, however, cannot be changed. New builds also frequently appear on the edges of towns or in previously undeveloped areas, where amenities are still being developed. This can be an advantage (a quiet setting, modern buildings), but also a risk if the promised services are never delivered.

Before you focus on specific offers, be clear about what your usual week looks like: where you commute to, who in your household needs a school or nursery, whether you have a car or rely on public transport. These answers set the priorities by which you will compare locations. You can find an overview of areas on the Locations page.

Transport: do not judge by distance on the map alone

Distance in kilometres says little about commuting. What matters more is the real journey time at the time you will be making it.

• Trial journey. Try the journey to work or school in the morning and afternoon rush hours, ideally several times and on a weekday.
• Public transport. Find out how frequent the services are in the morning and evening peaks, at weekends and during school holidays. Check where the nearest stop is and how long it takes to walk there.
• Connections. For suburban locations, it matters whether you can easily switch to a train, metro or tram, and whether there is parking nearby.
• Cycling and walking access. You will appreciate safe pavements and paths especially if you have children.
• Parking. Check how many parking spaces are assigned to the unit, whether they are included in the price and where visitors can park.

Be wary of locations where transport will only improve once a planned construction project is finished (a bypass, a new railway line, a stop). Such plans may be delayed or changed. Assume that the current situation may remain in place for several more years.

Local amenities: what you need within reach

Adapt your list of amenities to your family. For some people a nursery is the key factor, for others healthcare or sports facilities.

• Nurseries and schools. Find out whether they are within reach and what their capacity is. In new neighbourhoods it sometimes happens that places do not keep up with a growing population. Check catchment areas and capacities directly with the institution or at the municipal office.
• Healthcare. A general practitioner, paediatrician, dentist and pharmacy. Ask whether the surgeries are accepting new patients.
• Shopping and services. A grocery shop within walking distance, a post office, a bank or pick-up points.
• Greenery and leisure. A park, playgrounds, sports facilities and places to walk nearby.

Distinguish between what already exists and what the developer is only promising. For promised amenities, ask whether they are part of the zoning decision or the building permit and when they are due to be completed. If in doubt, have the contractual commitments assessed by a lawyer.

Future development in the area

A quiet view of fields may look different in a few years. Planned development of the area is therefore one of the most important points, yet one of the most often overlooked.

1. Zoning plan. It is publicly available from the municipality or on its website. It shows which areas are designated for housing, industry, transport or greenery. Focus on the land in the immediate vicinity of the chosen project.
2. Planned buildings. Ask at the office whether proceedings are under way for other buildings (commercial sites, warehouses, roads, further apartment buildings).
3. Developer of neighbouring plots. Ask the seller whether there are further construction phases and what will be built in them.
4. Transport infrastructure. Find out whether a road or railway line is planned that would increase noise.
5. Risks in the area. Check, for example, flood zones or protection zones.

Have the legal side (restrictions on the land, easements, a contract for a future contract) reviewed by a lawyer. You do not need to be an expert to carry out the checks, but you should know what to ask.

How to compare and verify locations in practice

When comparing several offers, a simple table with the criteria that matter to you will help.

Criterion	How to check
Commute to work	Trial journey at normal peak time
Public transport	Timetables, frequency of services, evening and weekend service
Schools and healthcare	Ask the institution directly or the municipality
Surrounding development	Zoning plan, enquiry at the building authority
Noise and environment	Visit at different times of day and on different days

Visit the place repeatedly, ideally on a weekday morning and on a Friday evening. Talk to neighbours in the surrounding buildings; they often know best what works in the area and what does not. You can browse specific offers in the project catalogue, and information about builders is in the overview of developers.

Discuss the financial side of the purchase with a mortgage specialist. You can get an indicative idea of repayments in the mortgage calculator, but the binding terms will be given by the bank. The overall buying process is described in the buying guide. If you are unsure how to choose, you can use the housing inquiry form.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to choose a location closer to the centre, or a quieter one on the edge?

It depends on your priorities. The centre offers shorter journeys and more services, while the edge offers quiet and often more space. Decide based on how often you will commute and what you need within reach.

Where can I find out what will be built in the area?

Ideally in the municipality's zoning plan, which is public, and by asking at the local building authority. As an addition, ask the developer about further construction phases.

Should I trust promises about future amenities?

Treat them as information, not a certainty. Ask whether the amenities are part of the approved documentation and what the schedule is. Have the commitments in the contract assessed by a lawyer.