Should I choose a home near my workplace or my child's school?

Living near school may be the better choice if your child is young, needs frequent collection or attends after-school activities. Consider the school bus journey too: a nearby school can still involve a lengthy route with several stops. Ask about pickup times, journey duration and transport fees before deciding.

Living near work may suit you better if your working hours are long or unpredictable, particularly when reliable school transport or another caregiver can handle the school run. For households with two working parents, compare both commutes and agree who can respond when a child needs collecting unexpectedly.

A location between work and school is only useful if the routes work in practice. Test the journeys on a typical weekday and include transport costs, childcare arrangements and the time everyone spends travelling. Also check access to groceries, healthcare and activities you use regularly.