Every year around 100,000 city dwellers move to the countryside in search of a new way of living. Often they are heading off in search of peace and quiet, a change of pace, better quality of air, or a chance to own a small holding where they can keep a flock of chickens and a couple of alpacas. You would be forgiven for thinking that this 100,000 is made up mostly of retirees and those starting a family, however research has shown that around 30% of leavers are in the 20-29 age bracket. It’s no wonder young people are craving a slower pace of life; with technology making it impossible to switch off from work, the great outdoors can offer some relief.
There are so many reasons to move out of to the country. Unless you’re going to move to a national park such as the Cotswolds, or to a popular second home destination such as Salcombe, you may find that you get more for your money. As a general rule of thumb, the further you move away from London, or other big cities, the cheaper your house price will be. If you’re a first-time buyer looking to find a place to call home, moving out of the city may mean that you get more for your money. Where you might have only been able to afford a studio apartment in town, you may find that you get more space in rural areas.
If you already have a mortgage, then you should consider what moving to the country might mean for your borrowing. Moving to the country is a big step. Whether you’re thinking about increasing your mortgage for your dream country pile, or downsizing to suit the market in your new area, online mortgage broker Trussle can help you compare remortgage deals. Once you have figured out how much you might be able to borrow, then it’s time to take a look at your new home.
When you’re house hunting, it can be tempting to start in the summer when the sun is shining. You might want to plan weekends away so that you can really get to know the area. Whilst this might feel idyllic, you may also fall into the trap of finding a home which doesn’t suit you for ten months of the year. When you’re relying a countryside commute, you will need to investigate how isolated you might be in inclement weather, especially if you’re planning to take local train networks.
Once you have figured out the practicalities of moving to the country, all that remains is to finesse the details. Find out where you can source animals for your small holdings, and upgrade your Fiat 500 to a 4×4 because you’re going to become a part of the country set, and that will mean donning the wax jacket and acting like you were born for it. It’s easy to see why so many people decide to move to the countryside: nothing can beat the vast open space, the house prices and the thrill of getting mud splashed on the paintwork of a newly washed car.
