Moving from the City to the Countryside
Things to consider before packing your bags and leaving the city for the rural dream. MyHome.ie provides some insights for you to consider when choosing to trade up your city pad for a country cottage. After the hustle and bustle of city life, fighting traffic every day, and dealing with increasing pollution, a move to the countryside sounds more than a little appealing.
After spending a long weekend break in the countryside you suddenly feel an affinity with the countryside, country life and the rural setting. Hold your horses! Whether it has been a lifetime dream or a weekend whim, there are a number of serious considerations to take into account before you take the plunge. For some, living in the country can be a dream come true and for others it can be an absolute nightmare. So thread carefully before making any concrete decisions. If you’re thinking of idyllic summer days in the rolling hills, just you and your trusty sheep dog, then remember that summer turns to winter and rain and isolation. Just make sure that you know what you are letting yourself in for. Don’t decide to move because you had a great long weekend there in the August sunshine. Make sure to visit in the depths of winter. You may find that your perception changes.
It’s a case of your glass is either half full or half empty. Does country life mean peace and quiet or does it mean seclusion and loneliness? While the countryside provides an idyllic setting to bring up children, it is not without its dangers. Farm machinery, electric fencing, lakes and rivers all pose as hazards for young children. While you may get greater value for money in terms of the property you purchase, it is not much fun having a big, beautiful house if you have no friends or neighbours to share it with. For the price of a two bedroom apartment in the city, you could potentially get a large four bedroom detached house in the country (with land). The country life offers a more intimate setting for your children’s education where usually class sizes are significantly smaller. On the other hand, you may find that you have a significant journey from your home to the nearest school. While country life can at first seem quite secluded, there is no escaping that in most villages everyone knows everyone else’s business. You can often be far more anonymous living in a city centre apartment than in a rural setting. While country living offers you greater time to do things, you may find that things take longer to do. Doing simple grocery shopping could involve a trek to the nearest village and there may not be a 24 hour garage or shop for miles and miles. You may also face a long commute if you need to travel for work. You may think that the internet has revolutionised how we work and live, but double check that broadband is available in the area before committing yourself to telecommuting. While there are many rural pursuits on your doorstep – fishing and riding, these can be quite expensive when you consider the equipment you need to buy and any licences required.
Many believe that by moving location from the city to the country that their lives will automatically change. This is true to a certain extent but if you are a lazy city dweller, then it is likely that you will also be lazy in the country. If you want to change the way you live, then you must be proactive about it and not just rely on your surroundings to make the changes for you. Customs and traditions are often very different between country and city settings. Different use of language, customs, food, habits, sense of humour and time can all be extremely different from one place to the next. Make sure that you are 100 % aware of what’s on offer in your chosen destination in terms of local amenities, shops and access to transport routes.
Why are you moving? You need to clarify in your own head why you’d like to move – work, retirement, a change of pace, downsizing, upsizing, returning to you the place where you grew up or simply following a rural life dream are all common reasons for upping sticks and moving to the countryside.
These are just some examples of how our perceptions of rural versus city living can vary from person to person. You need to make sure that whichever option you choose is the right option for you.
There are compromises to be made when looking at the trade-offs between city and country living. You need to be aware of these while at the same time not losing site of the benefits of country living – a sunset, a view, a log fire, local foods and produce, the quiet and the wild and wonderful countryside.
It is often said that with country living comes better health and a better lifestyle, as well as less stress. Lower crime rates and a slower pace of life are contributing factors here but is it true that people living in the countryside are healthier and happier than their city cousins?
Key Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Beautiful Views, Fresh Air, Changing Scenery
- Slower Pace of Life and Less Stress
- Greater Personal Space
- More Property for your Money (in general)
Cons:
- Distance factor
- Lack of Variety
- Lack of Privacy – Nosy neighbours
Finding a Property in the Countryside that suits you.
You also need to consider the type of property you are looking for. Everything from traditional country houses to sites on which you can build your own new home are on offer on MyHome.ie. A cottage renovation is also an option. Be careful when choosing as you need to be aware of the work involved and red tape that can ensue. You may need to consider regulations in terms of protected or listed buildings and planning permission.
Check out the Property Search on MyHome.ie for all the latest available properties in a location of your choice.
Source: Irish Association of Self Builders - www.iaosb.com