When you have the chance to choose between city and country living, it can be hard to know what to do. The decision will be down to your deep internalised preferences, but also your financial realities and the region of Britain you live in.
The quiet life vs. the bright lights
When you first look at a move into or out of the city it is essential to ask yourself what you would want in an ideal world. If your choice is between two properties that you know you like but have drawbacks, imagine how you would feel if you were looking at a manor and a penthouse in the same locations in the country and city. If the properties were perfect, which would you want?
City living comes with the convenience of plentiful amenities, entertainment and employment, but also with a higher level of noise and a busier surrounding area, and you are unlikely to be near any green space. In the country you can find this level of greenery, and a better chance at having a spacious garden, as well as the perks of silence, and possibly even a small tight-knit village. If one of these visions sounds better than the other to you then you found your answer.
The practicalities
If you work in a city and want to move further out be sure to work out how this will change your commute, and whether it will make it a bridge too far. While it is possible in many industries to become a home worker, be sure to balance the positives and negatives of this option carefully. Home working can be lonely, especially if you have moved somewhere you do not know your neighbours and your friends work nine to five further into the city.
Family matters
If you are starting a family this will affect your choice of where to live. In many regions you will be able to find out school rankings and plan your move appropriately. Your child’ s education and the available schools will play a large role in deciding where to live. Once you know, look for a service like Man and Van to transport your goods to your chosen destination.
Regional differences
Depending where you are in the country the definitions of “urban”, “rural” and “suburban” can vary dramatically. For example, in North-East England where urban build-up is very focused on Newcastle and Sunderland within the Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Area, it is surprisingly possible to live somewhere on the Metro network with a half hour minute commute to the city centre while being surrounded by greenery within easy walking distance, for prices that will seem incredible to those living further south.
If you live in the South-East or the North-West you may find urban infill means you have to travel further out to find green spaces. Urban infill is the spread of suburbs out from large conurbations, such as the sprawl of greater London, or between large cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, which can make rural living harder to come by and urban living more worth biting the bullet.