Choosing a Place to Live

white concrete house beside green leafed trees
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on September 18, 2020 and last updated on August 7, 2023

Choosing a place to live is an excellent conversation topic for English learners as it encourages them to discuss personal preferences and share their thoughts on various aspects. Engaging in conversations about different locations helps learners develop their vocabulary related to geography, climate, amenities and lifestyle. Additionally, discussing factors such as safety, cost of living and employment opportunities expands their understanding of real-world considerations.

Exploring this topic allows learners to practice expressing opinions, comparing options and using descriptive language, ultimately enhancing their communication skills and confidence in English.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

About Choosing a Place to Live

Choosing a place to live is a significant decision that greatly impacts our daily lives and overall well-being. It involves evaluating a multitude of factors, such as location, climate, cost of living, employment opportunities, safety and community amenities.

Each person’s priorities and preferences may differ, making the selection process subjective. Some may prioritize proximity to family and friends, while others seek vibrant cultural scenes or access to natural surroundings. Researching potential areas, visiting neighbourhoods and considering long-term goals are essential in making an informed choice. Ultimately, finding the ideal place to call home requires careful consideration and balancing individual needs and desires.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • property (noun)
  • location (noun)
  • move (verb)
  • important (adjective)
  • importance (noun)
  • priority (noun)
  • neighbourhood (noun)
  • take into account (idiom)
  • look for (phrasal verb)

Conversation Questions

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  • What are the most important factors you consider when choosing a place to live?
  • What would be most important for you if you were looking for a new place to live?
  • What are the good things about where you live now?
  • What are the bad things about where you live now?
  • Overall, what do you think is more important, the place that you live (the property) or the location you live in?
  • How does the climate of a place influence your decision to live there?
  • What amenities or facilities do you consider essential in a neighborhood?
  • Would you prioritize living close to work or living close to nature? Why?
  • How important is safety when choosing a place to live? Why?
  • Is it more important to live near family and friends or in a location that offers better career opportunities?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a property versus buying one?
  • How does the size of a property impact your decision to live there?
  • Do you prefer living in a new or older property? Why?
  • What are some deal-breakers or red flags that would make you reject a property?
  • Is it more important to prioritize proximity to work or to have a larger and more comfortable property?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.