Do you have to leave your home, lock your front door, get a bus and walk to the nearest park to ‘find’ nature? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to simply have nature on your doorstep?
Certainly, throughout the throes of the pandemic, many city-dwellers considered escaping to the countryside.
Now, the grass isn’t always greener, but when you don’t have a garden and you’re forced to stay home, it can definitely look that way!
Last year in June and July, Rightmove found that they had 78% more buyer inquiries from people living in cities than they had at the same time in 2019.
It seems that this trend towards moving to the countryside is still ongoing, but with lockdowns easing, people living in cities are finding their lives returning to something close to what they were before.
Is now the right time to move to the countryside? We’ve outlined some of the things you should consider.
Working from home
Because of the pandemic, many of us have been working from home, and we’ve realised that our homes are ill-equipped for this setup.
Those with extensive living and garden space in the countryside have arguably been given the better deal.
The ability to set up a certain room as an office and to take lunch and exercise in the garden (and even host friends there at a distance) can seem a lot more appealing than cramped flats with small balconies.
In fact, a report from Savills’ last May found that 44% of workers would want a separate work space in their houses should working from home continue. And one might think that this ‘home office’ is only possible in the countryside, where houses are often larger.
If you’re looking at luxury property, however, you can get the best of both worlds in cities as well as in the countryside. London, for example, can be an excellent place for property investment, where you can get the full urban experience without compromising on space. Browse our map of developments and commissions in and around London to get an idea of where you could live in spacious luxury.
With more working from home on the horizon in general (pandemic or otherwise), you might not have to travel to the office for the foreseeable. So if this has previously been a blocker for moving to the countryside, now might be the perfect time to re-evaluate.
Going green
Not only does living in the countryside with lots of garden space mean you are quite literally surrounded by greenery, but it also gives you the opportunity to develop a relaxing new hobby: gardening.
You can live more sustainably by planting your own vegetables, and you could even grow an ornamental garden to wow guests.
On the topic of ‘going green’, more space could open up the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and make your home eco-friendly, by powering it with solar panels or even wind turbines.
Amenities and utilities
Life out in the sticks – you might be thinking “what about my wifi connection?”. The good news is that you can now usually get a connection in the countryside that’s as strong as in the city (although 5G may arrive a little later in rural areas).
It’s time to address the ultimate draw of living in the city, though. To put it simply, it’s… living in the city. The buzz, the nightlife, the coffee shop on the way to the office (if you can remember that) – all of these things might hold you back from making the move to the country. So, if you aren’t ready to give up nights out and Deliveroo, now might not be the time to relocate.
But consider this: with luxury property in the countryside, you could have your own dedicated wine cellar and bar, your own infinity pool, and plenty of room for guests. Why not have the party come to you?
Meeting in the middle
Remember, the ‘countryside’ doesn’t have to mean ‘middle of nowhere’.
If green space is what you’re looking for, it’s important to keep in mind that London, as an example, is not purely metropolitan – there are lots of green spaces, especially on the outskirts. This, then, could present you with a compromise. Take a look at this development of ours in Wimbledon for some inspiration!
Another approach that we’ve seen rising in popularity is maintaining your city bolt-hole and buying a second luxury home in the country to expand your property portfolio and opportunities. That’s truly getting the best of both worlds.
Is now the right time for you to make that countryside move?
All things considered, your decision to move to the countryside shouldn’t rest on trends, but instead on what feels right for you.
If you’re starting a family and want more space, relocating to the countryside could be perfect. But you should also consider the local schools, clubs, and opportunities for your children – moving too far out into the middle of nowhere could impact some of these.
Clearly, there are a lot of factors at play here.
One thing that is consistent, though, is that with a luxury property you are able to shape how your space works for you. A luxury property isn’t just a luxury property, it could be your dream home – whether that’s in the countryside, outskirts, or the city itself.
