It’s always difficult to choose a new home when you’ve got to try and balance out financial constraints and personal preferences. When it comes to choosing between urban and rural living, there’s plenty to consider.
If you’re a first-time buyer, you might be attracted to the far less expensive properties, while those seeking inner-city transport alternatives to get around may find urban life hard to turn down. Here are some of the key aspects you’ll want to consider…
Property
The closer you get to the city, the more expensive local properties will become. While this isn’t always the case, it’s fair to say that many people have looked to escape to the country and subsequently get more for their money in the past. You could quite easily obtain a three-bedroom house in the country for a similar price you’d pay for an apartment in London for instance.
You can also expect living costs to skyrocket in the city, with petrol prices and the cost of food shopping likely to be much higher in these areas. Most first-time buyers will concentrate on saving as much money as possible, so those on a limited budget are almost always advised to look outside of metropolitan locations.
It would be incorrect to assume that people who look outside metropolitan cities do not come across lucrative property deals. They do! However, they should know the nitty-gritty of finding land to build a house (if that is the option they are going for). Once the most suitable land is identified, the individuals should seek assistance from professionals who can analyze the various factors that impact the cost of preparing the property for building. This offers insight to prospective homeowners about the amount of money required in building the home.
Transport
Cities provide you with a plethora of transport options and, while almost always overwhelmed with enthusiastic commuters, you won’t have to wait too long to get to work if your office is reasonably local. In London for instance, buses and trains operate by the minute and there’s always the option of walking through the intertwining streets to get somewhere quickly and efficiently when transport is at a standstill.
The problem with getting around in rural areas is that you’ve got very few options. There’s no doubt that traffic is at a minimum in most cases but if your car should break down or require servicing during the year, you’ll be stuck for options. Overground trains in the UK operate on an hourly or half-an-hourly basis and will always take you a little longer than driving.
Amenities
Rural areas simply cannot live up to the level of entertainment available in the city, with restaurants, venues, shops, and clubs all predominantly located in the city. If you are someone who craves the opportunity to get fast food every now and then or perhaps experience the busy nightlife, you’ll want to be based in or around the city.
On the other hand, many of us would prefer to live in a tranquil, serene location with very little in the way of noise, making rural living an excellent choice. You can even get a great internet connection in rural areas if you are using the right providers like Satellite Internet Now and various other companies, so there is plenty of entertainment online. If you did ever find the urge to get involved in amenities, however, you’d almost certainly have to drive or travel further than your friends.
Family
If you’re looking to raise a family in the future, you might benefit from a more rural location where property prices are much more affordable. You could quite easily obtain land and get a three-bedroom property built in a rural location with the help of home builders (think garmanbuilders.com). In preparation for starting a family, any countryside property purchase can prove to be extremely advantageous. You almost certainly wouldn’t be able to afford a three-bedroom property in the city as a first-time buyer.
Plus, there are a number of reasons why people wouldn’t want to raise a family in the city, with crime rates almost always higher in urban areas compared to rural areas. You are also likely to have plenty of garden space with a rural property, thus giving your children the option of playing outdoors during the summer. One benefit of starting a family in the city is that you’ll have plenty of schools and colleges to choose from.
Mike James
Content Editor