How to Choose a District for Buying an Apartment in Kyiv?

The first question potential apartment buyers in Kyiv ask themselves is: which district should they choose for living, given the capital's vast size? And the answer is not always solely dependent of your bank account. Each of the 10 districts of Kyiv has its unique features, whath are worth knowing when choosing an apartment.

First and foremost, it's necessary to decide your priorities. What exactly? The presence of social infrastructure – schools, kindergartens and healthcare facilities, as well as shopping and entertainment venues. Everything you need for a comfortable life should be there.

In Kyiv, the transportation network and the distance to the nearest metro station are extremely important. At the same time, consider in which district of the capital you work, where your relatives live, and even which route you need to take to leave the city for your country house or hometown.

Let's not forget about ecology, as things are not so straightforward in the capital. If lawyers say: ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility, then we can rephrase this saying in our context: ignorance of the ecological characteristics of an area will not protect you from unpleasant surprises in the future. By the way, when choosing a home, it's advisable to inquire about the presence of green areas – a park or a forest. After all, it's enjoy to walk by the forest with a baby stroller or go for a picnic on the weekend. The air in such a district feels different than in the midst of dense buildings and cars on the sidewalk.

Another important factor in choosing an apartment could be the walking distance to the Dnipro River, a lake, or another body of water. Abroad, housing in such places is significantly more expensive. A nice bonus – a cultural or architectural monument, even if it's not on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For example, the open-air Museum of Folk living and Architecture in Pirogovo is a wonderful place for walks with children and relaxation with friends. If it's nearby, why not take advantage of such an opportunity?

Some find it hard to give an answer on such a fundamental question: should they choose the Left or Right bank of the Dnipro River? Some insist, "Do not offer the Left bank." And others won't even consider the Right bank – too expensive.

It's no secret that the most expensive square meters are in the center of Kyiv (on the right bank). This applies to both primary and secondary markets. Therefore, after counting your savings, as a buyer, you should focus your attention on the corresponding price sector. However, keep in mind that some districts (Desnianskyi, Darnytskyi, Holosiivskyi) are too large in area, so price fluctuations here can be significant. For example, Holosiivskyi stretches from the distant suburbs to the very center of the capital. Given the size of the districts, all compiled ratings of the comfort of Kyiv's districts are quite conditional: it's like the average temperature in a hospital ward. So, when looking for your place under the Kyiv sun, rule out unwanted districts not entirely, but in parts.

Here are some common opinions about certain districts of the capital. Holosiivskyi is the greenest, as a large part of it is forested. Dniprovs'kyi is the most comfortable, as it has a metro, developed social and transport infrastructure, many parks, and natural water bodies. Pechersk is very expensive, although it has very dense development and practically no supermarkets. Podil has historical buildings and beautiful houses. Desnianskyi, particularly the infamous Troieshchyna, has transportation problems: sometimes it takes up for two hours to reach the right bank (center). Shevchenkivskyi has good transportation links, but its ecological situation is not ideal.

Different districts of the capital develop differently – this primarily depends on the area of free land and the available social and road infrastructure. How a district will change in the coming years can be learned from the General Plan of Kyiv. However, the capital is currently living according to the General Plan calculated only until 2020 (approved in 2002). But even from it, you can learn something interesting about the prospects of a specific district or residential area. There are also General Plan projects for different periods, for example, Kyiv until 2025. And wise people make use of this information.

Undoubtedly, everyone is interested in where in Kyiv three (!) new transport crossings over the Dnipro are planned to be built, where multi-level parking lots will be constructed, where bicycle infrastructure will be developed, and where multi-level transport solutions will appear. If you choose an area where a metro station will appear in the future (even if not in the near future), your apartment will significantly increase in value over time. This happened with housing in the former peripheral neighborhoods of Teremky-I and Teremky-II, where the metro line was extended, now called the Obolonsko-Teremkivska line.

Another source of knowledge for making an informed decision when choosing a place to live is real estate websites. Here, in addition to information about apartments for sale, you can also find articles about the advantages and disadvantages of Kyiv's districts, residential complexes and more. News from the real estate and construction area, published on these websites, can also be useful. For instance, there are introduced a concept for renewing public space in one district, while another grants a land plot the status of a public green space. All this information enriches your knowledge about a specific administrative district, helping you make a crucial decision in favor of one district or another.

It's also advisable to read local forums about the chosen district of the capital. Typically, apartment buyers share their experiences and the pitfalls they encountered while exploring options in different districts. Sometimes, they find out a problem only after they have made their choice. When people are disappointed, they tend to speak out. It's a well-known fact: it's better to learn from others' mistakes than your own, to avoid regrets later.

Getting a consultation at a real estate agency is another crucial step in your decision-making process about choosing a district in Kyiv to buy property. Here, they will tell you all the nuances of this complex process, as agencies usually sell apartments in all districts of the capital.

Darnytskyi or Desnianskyi? Holosiivskyi or Sviatoshynskyi? That is the question. The main thing is to find an experienced professional who will dispel all your doubts and concerns, and recommend the best options for your budget in the best location. A professional will find many budget-friendly "comfort" or "economy" class apartment options in each district of Kyiv, and "business" and "premium" – in almost every one.

Such realtors work at the Kyiv real estate agency AXIS Real Estate – one of the leaders in Kyiv. They promptly track the apartment market, understand the needs of buyers from different categories, have extensive experience, and have accumulated large real estate databases. It's always preferable to deal with the best.

If you are not in a hurry to buy a property and want to consider your choice for a while, then leave your phone number and email to the realtor, and he will regularly send you new offers selected according to your preferences. This way, you definitely won't miss the home of your dreams. The realtor will provide qualified assistance and save your time.

To personally ensure the correctness of your choice of a district in Kyiv for living, it's worth ... testing it. For this, rent an apartment there for a short term, preferably in the neighborhood you like. This way, you can protect yourself from unpleasant surprises that you might discover during the testing of the district. For example, you may find out that during peak hours, this area experiences heavy traffic jams, or that hot water is frequently turned off, there are no acceptable foreign language courses for your child, or you need to use two types of transport to get to the clinic.

Some people do it differently: they buy an apartment where they have been renting. If a person is satisfied with the chosen district and does not intend to move, it makes complete sense to buy an apartment in Kyiv in the place of their residence. This means that you made the right choice of district when you rented a place. And, evidently, the information you gathered from various sources and the correct conclusions you made from it helped you in this. You should not rely on chance here: while it's easy to change rented accommodation, it's not the same with purchased property. However, realtors can tell you numerous stories when a buyer, after making a deal, broke it because they found an apartment in a more convenient location. Of course, such transactions lead to financial losses.

So, to avoid throwing your hard-earned money away, it's important to pay as much attention as possible to such a serious matter as buying a home. And here it's crucial to consider everything: the district, block, building, kindergarten, school, transport, hospital, park, shops, market, barbecue area, parking, price, and many other factors that might not be apparent at first glance. But they exist, and someone surely knows about them. Be among the informed people! Choose the district in Kyiv where you will live long and happily!