For Johannesburg buyers especially, the daily commute can dramatically impact quality of life. A home that seems perfect on paper may quickly lose its appeal if school traffic, potholes, or unreliable traffic lights turn every morning into a stressful ordeal.

Cohen suggests doing practical due diligence before committing: drive the route to work at peak hour, visit the area over weekends, and spend time understanding what daily life actually feels like.

Lifestyle factors are also playing a bigger role than ever. Parks, coffee shops, safe walking spaces, and a sense of community are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions — often just as much as the home itself.

Her advice for anyone relocating? Consider renting first if there’s any uncertainty.

While it may seem more expensive in the short term, it can help avoid a far costlier mistake: buying into an area that doesn’t suit your family, routine, or long-term goals.

Sometimes, the smartest property investment isn’t the house itself — it’s the neighbourhood around it.