Check broadband before you move – it’s the sensible decision

Written by Duncan Heaney, broadbandchoices.co.uk

Decisions, decisions.

When it comes down to it, that’s what moving house really is, a seemingly endless series of decisions. Where do I want to live? Which energy provider should I go with? Can I move the rest of my family somewhere else? Just me?

But there’s another decision that’s become crucial. What sort of internet access will I have?

In fact, according to a survey of 1,500 homebuyers, by broadband comparison site broadbandchoices.co.uk and property expert Henry Pryor, many people now consider a decent broadband connection more important than many of the more traditional influencing factors.

For example, broadband was ranked as a more important selling point than off-street parking and access to amenities like shops. Even being near that great British love – the local boozer – is less important than the ability to get online.

So it’s unsurprising then that more and more of us are checking broadband before we make a move. One in five people say they now actively check internet speeds when looking at different areas, and one in 10 has walked away from a property because the broadband wasn’t up to snuff.

See, the broadband packages available, and how fast they’ll really be, will differ from place to place. So if internet access matters to you – and these days it’s all but essential – you should check what’s available and how fast it is before you move.

You can use Rightmove to check broadband speeds in an area, and you should use a price comparison service with a postcode checker, like broadbandchoices.co.uk to see all the cheap broadband deals available at your new place. Then it’s simply a matter of picking the one that best matches your needs, and your budget.

So when you’re facing the mind-meltingly extensive array of moving decisions, make sure you think about broadband. In the long run, it could be among the most important decisions of all.