WHEN BUYING A home, you’ll be well aware of all the usual clichés. Whether it’s “location, location, location” or “you’re buying a way of life, not a house”, there’s always some truth in them.
That’s why these are great starting points to help you on your house-buying journey. When entering today’s market, it’s worth bearing in mind that location does not just refer to the site of the home but also includes the local community you’ll be joining.
Whether it’s a local GAA club or Tidy Town committee, being part of your community is a great way to make new friendships and enjoy a sense of togetherness. It’s an often overlooked part of buying a new home, but settling into your new community is vital for support after your big move.
As one of Ireland’s leading homebuilders, Glenveagh’s role extends far beyond just building homes. They place a huge emphasis on building communities and helping to ensure that these communities thrive. Community is integral to Glenveagh when choosing the perfect location for new homes.
To help you make those new friendships and get a sense of belonging and purpose in your new community, here are some ways to help you and your family integrate into the local community.
Why not get involved in a local charity in your community? Giving back helps you meet like-minded people, grants you a strong sense of purpose and is a way you can make a difference in the world.
Starting at your doorstep and working for a local charity brings all those benefits and more. Glenveagh has a strong history of working with various charities, including The Jack & Jill Foundation. Glenveagh’s work with The Jack & Jill Foundation includes charity shop takeovers through staff volunteering.
“We are so lucky to have Glenveagh as a partner in The Jack & Jill Foundation. Glenveagh are always there for us,” said Carmel Doyle,The Jack & Jill Foundation CEO.
They bring great fundraising ideas, there’s a great symmetry because Glenveagh is all about community and Glenveagh staff work very hard to keep Jack and Jill on the road.”
With so many great charities operating in Ireland, each town and village has its own local charities that can directly affect your area. Check out charities in your area here and see how you can get involved.
Shopping local comes with several great benefits. Whether you’re a coffee fanatic or love a chipper on the weekend, buying local keeps businesses around you thriving.
You’ll find it easier to casually acquaint yourself with other local residents in a relaxed setting like a café, all while indulging in some delicious food and drinks. Often, the support you give these small businesses is returned with extra care and attention in their establishments that you just can’t get elsewhere.
The local economy extends to farmers or others growing produce in your area – not only will buying from them help establish your presence in the area, locally produced food deserves to be eaten locally and helps reduce your impact on the environment.
With Glenveagh, their communities are thoughtfully positioned next to urban hubs. This makes it easy for residents to simply stroll into town, have a wander around different shops, or grab lunch in a café or restaurant. Their involvement in the local economy also extends to partnering with local commerce chambers and prioritising access for local apprentices and sub-contractors wherever possible when building new properties.
Staying active and fit is so important for a healthy life. Local communities are a great way to make exercise more enjoyable by adding a social element.
Your sport might be rugby, GAA, football or golf, and within a Glenveagh community, you’ll enjoy easy access to several clubs in your area, thanks to strategic planning that places your new home in easy reach of various local clubs and groups.
We are delighted to support @Kilmorecelticfc kids academy and had a great day at our recent sponsorship launch with a kidszone, entertainment and treats for all their rising football stars!#buildinglastingcommunities pic.twitter.com/yAip67wbPG
— Glenveagh Homes (@GlenveaghHomes) March 21, 2023
Glenveagh also have a hand in supporting the clubs in your area through sponsoring clubs in the vicinity of their communities. Partnering with new initiatives designed to bring more participants interested in sports is also another aspect of Glenveagh’s involvement, such as supporting the Gaelic4Girls programme that brings GAA to a wider community, amongst others.
“There is a real synergy between the work that we do with the Gaelic4Girls programme, and the impact of Glenveagh in local communities,” Lyn Savage, National Development Manager, LGFA said.
“The shared focus around community and increasing participation in sport for young girls is what makes our partnership work so well.”
If you have a love of the environment, you can put it to good use and make friends in the process by joining forces with a local sustainability group. This could be a Tidy Towns committee or even taking part in a simple planting day taking place in the community.
Even if you’re not the most green-thumbed, there’s still plenty of work that you can get involved in. You can research into the species native to your local area and find out about how they can be best protected and cared for by the community, and maybe even set up your own community group if one doesn’t exist already.
Glenveagh’s communities are a great starting point for information around sustainability. The communities themselves are built with the local environment in mind, with preservation and minimal disturbance to the area at the top of the priority list.
Moving to a new area can be stressful, as change often is. It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed, but it’s important to keep on top of your wellbeing. This might mean getting out in nature, finding new passions or speaking to friends and neighbours.
Community is so important for our wellbeing, as having people we can turn to when feeling down can help pick us up. Glenveagh supports wellbeing by working with those who look after the most vulnerable in society, such as the Dublin Simon Community and Pieta House.
Glenveagh’s communities are designed to support health too by being located close to medical facilities, ensuring you’re never too far from proper care. Cycle paths and walkways within the communities help keep residents active and surrounded by nature.
For first-time buyers with families, you’ll want your home to be close to primary and secondary schools. Granting your kids a good education is the foundation for setting them up for life.
Schools are a key part of how Glenveagh designs its communities. They understand the importance of having schools in the vicinity and choose to build in areas well-served by schools.
Having several schools nearby to suit your needs is essential when buying a home, as it helps you and your family integrate into the community easier. Avoiding a long trek to a far-away school brings many benefits and makes it easier for your kids to develop strong and lasting friendships by making school more accessible.
Through our partnership with Glenveagh, we have been able to reach out to local schools in the community and give them the outdoor resources they need to become more nature-friendly and in doing so, helping children become more engaged with Ireland’s wonderful biodiversity, said Mark Nolan, Director, Biodiversity in Schools.
Glenveagh also lends support to schools through a number of varied initiatives. These include Nature Hero Bootcamps that bring biodiversity into schools, donating to organisations that make education more accessible and lending a hand to schools by giving time and effort into making schools flourish.
Glenveagh is building sustainable communities across Ireland. Check out Glenveagh.ie to discover their upcoming communities across Ireland and begin your home buying journey.
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