12 Things to Consider When Moving to the Countryside
If you have been living in a city or busy town and want to make a change, you may be thinking about moving to the countryside. It’s important to remember that moving to the countryside will be a significant lifestyle change, and several factors must be considered.
If you’re considering moving to the countryside and want some advice or help finding your property, then contact Stacks Property Finders today. We work with clients from all over the UK and the world to ensure they find their perfect property, whether in a bustling city or the quiet countryside.
12 Things to Consider When Moving to the Countryside
Here are some important aspects to keep in mind when planning your move to the UK countryside:
- How will my cost of living change?
It’s no secret that good rural country homes cost a significant amount of money, so you have probably already considered this. Evaluating the overall cost of living in the countryside is also important. If you’re used to amenities nearby, you may have to factor in extra costs and time for reaching these.
- What are my plans for working and employment?
When moving to the countryside, it’s essential to consider your career or employment opportunities. Your current job may allow you to continue working remotely, which gives you stability, but will that always be the case? You should also consider whether the isolation of WfH will suit you.
It’s always a good idea to research the job market in rural areas. Consider if local job opportunities align with your skills and career goals.
- How can I make friends and become part of the community?
When you’re used to seeing lots of people around, moving to the quiet countryside can be a bit of a shock. You may want to get to know the local community and its culture by attending local events and engaging with community members. This can help you to make friends and feel more at home – be open to the opportunities!
- Local Schools
If you have children, it’s essential to consider the quality of local schools and educational facilities. At Stacks, we have property experts in all areas of the countryside who have lots of information on local schools; we can talk you through the different options and help you find a property which is perfect for your school requirements.
- Are the healthcare services accessible enough?
Again, this could come as a shock if you are used to living within walking distance of your local healthcare facilities. You must evaluate the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in the area. Check the proximity of hospitals, clinics, and emergency services if that is important to your peace of mind. If they are too far away for your liking, then instruct your property finder to interrogate better options.
- Will I require transportation, and what are the links like?
You may require public transport for work or school runs. Many countryside towns have good links to London and other cities. If this is something you are considering, make sure you contact our team. We can help find you a property within the perfect distance for you.
- Reliability of your home’s utilities and amenities
Check the availability and reliability of utilities such as Wi-Fi, water, electricity, and waste disposal. If the home already has residents, there is a good chance these will all be running smoothly. However, there may be differences in handling things such as septic tanks or water sources, which you need to be comfortable with. You should be prepared for potential differences in service providers and costs.
- You’ll want to embrace nature.
Of course, the main draw we have to move to the countryside is the fact that we will be constantly surrounded by nature. Remember that the great outdoors also comes with potential challenges, such as extreme weather conditions, wildlife, and natural disasters. Research on your local area can help you determine what you may expect at different times of the year. Is that drive navigable in the snow??
- Is your property secure?
Living in the country means fewer people around. Because of this, you should make sure you’re investing in a security system. Some people like to have CCTV on their country homes to make sure they are alerted if someone tries to approach the property. Although this is not essential – it may make you feel more secure if you’re not used to living ” in the middle of nowhere”. You might be surprised how many doors are left open at your neighbours, though!
- Residency or second home?
Will you be using your countryside property as your primary residence, or are you considering keeping it as your home away from home for long weekends and holidays? For this, the security consideration is raised again, as you wouldn’t want the property left unmanned for long periods, and it can impact your insurance.
It’s also important to consider your new neighbours’ views on this and what they are doing. If you purchase a house which is surrounded by second homes, it can lead to further isolation, so it’s worth doing some research on your surrounding neighbours.
- Air B&B?
If you are purchasing a second home, it may have crossed your mind to try Air B&B or rent out your property as a holiday home. This can be a great way to generate some extra income from your property. You will need to consider the additional insurance required, and you may want to ensure you have someone close by to clean/check -up on the property between guests if you cannot be there. However, more communities are clamping down on this, so it may not be a future-proof option.
- Social Life and Entertainment
If you like socialising and entertainment, it’s a good idea to scope out the closest town to check if it suits what you’re after.
Working with Stacks Property Finders
If you’re considering moving to the countryside and looking for a property finder to help you, contact Stacks today. We work closely with our clients to help them find their ideal property, whatever the location.
Contact us today for more information.
