If there’s one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it’s that we are open to change. Nowhere has this become more apparent than in the UK property market, where one in ten people living in a city said they were now planning to move to rural areas or the coast, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.
While this is a distinct shift for the property market, recent sales figures also show us that home buying, particularly luxury home purchases, have continued to remain strong. A study from Twentyci found that since June, an average of 868 sales were agreed each week, all of which were for luxury homes priced in the £1 million+ bracket.
With more and more people looking to make the move, the question remains whether it makes sense to continue living in cities, with all the perks city life brings, or whether taking the plunge and making the move further into the countryside is a good call.
Both clearly have their advantages and disadvantages, and how much importance you place on them will help you decide whether or not moving to the country is a good idea.
The country offers more space
One of the key advantages of moving to the country is the addition of more space – both inside and outside of the home.
A common allure of the countryside is living in your very own country home, complete with multiple rooms equipped for all manner of activities; including hosting guests, exercising, as well as working from home – something that has become even more of a priority for people since the Coronavirus pandemic.
This additional space has become a key selling point for many recently, particularly for those wanting to escape the more limited size of city homes.
It’s not just the indoors though. Many people love the idea of moving to the country for their own piece of land and the freedom it gives to explore the surroundings. While cities do have green areas, there’s nothing quite like moving to the countryside to experience nature – something people have come to appreciate even more with the need for social distancing.
Luxury homes in the country also naturally come with more outdoor space, ensuring you can enjoy the outdoors even from the comfort of your own home by taking advantage of your own private garden and grounds. These can also be tailored to your own needs, giving you more space for what you enjoy, be that gardening or space to add in your very own swimming pool.
The country is great for families
While moving to the country offers lots of benefits, many of these are particularly prevalent for those who currently have, or are looking to have, children.
We all want what’s best for our children, and evidence shows raising children in the country as opposed to the city can have several benefits.
From an education standpoint, classroom sizes tend to be smaller in the country than in the city. This ensures children get a more personal learning experience, and greater opportunities to express themselves and ask questions.
Country homes often require maintenance
However, it is important to be aware of some of the issues that moving to the country may bring – particularly if you’re looking at heritage buildings – one of which is the problem of maintenance.
While there is an appeal in owning an older home in the country, it is easy to forget that these homes are usually more expensive to run and generally require regular maintenance to keep them in full working order.
With that said, there are workarounds. These include modernisation through the use of period refurbishment, or by opting to self-build or buy a luxury new home.
Is moving to the country a good idea?
A ‘return to nature’, more space, greater opportunities for your children and a simpler life are all great reasons why moving to the country is a good idea. However, it’s important to ensure the move is the right one for both yourself and your family.
Whether you want to make the move to the country or are looking for a luxury home in the city, we at Aspire Luxury Properties can help. We design and build beautiful, bespoke homes taking the utmost care and attention to detail. View our current properties available, or contact us for more information on finding or creating your dream home.
Aspire Luxury Properties – extraordinary homes for extraordinary people.