On paper, “close to public transport” sounds great. But what does “close” actually feel like on foot? Is it a comfortable five-minute stroll or a hot, uphill, noisy march along a busy road with no pavement?
By actually walking from the front door to the nearest bus stop or station, you get a real sense of distance, safety and comfort. You notice things you don’t see from a car: broken footpaths, dark stretches at night, confusing crossings, or pleasant tree shade and shops that make the walk easy.
If you plan to use public transport regularly, this daily route becomes part of your life. What feels okay once during a viewing might become annoying twice a day in bad weather.
It’s better to test the walk honestly before saying yes, rather than discover after moving in that what felt “nearby” in conversation feels “too far” in reality.