Tips for buyers swapping town for country

Over the past year, an increasing number of people have looked to make their dream move out to the country, escaping the everyday stresses of city life and capitalising on current low prices to trade up to a countryside home.

Email4property.co.uk has some essential tips for any homebuyer considering making the move from city to country:

1. Visit the area at different times of year

Different areas will vary considerably depending on the time of year – some locations may seem peaceful and quiet in the colder months but become a mecca for tourists during spring and summer. Whatever your preference, it is advisable to visit an area at several different times of the year, in order to get a rounded view before committing to buying there.

2. Check your commute

If you plan on commuting to your current place of work, make sure you check the time it will take you to travel in rush hour from your new home - a thirty-minute trip on a Sunday afternoon could take much longer at 7am on a Monday morning.

3. Get connected

If your chosen location is quite remote, you will need to carry out some preliminary checks to prevent being cut off from modern day technology (unless this is your reason for moving to the country!). Contact mobile phone, broadband and any other communication providers to see if their coverage is still available at your new address. If you need to swap providers, get all the necessary quotes in before moving to ensure that everything is set up from day one.

4. Factor in increased energy costs

If you are moving to the countryside, it is likely you will be moving into an older property. Unless the home was updated before you made the purchase, you may need to factor in higher fuel costs – it could be poorly insulated or include less energy efficient technologies than your newer city property, which will add to your monthly utility bills.

5. Get involved

One of the main reasons many people move to the countryside is to regain a sense of community. People often underestimate the importance of getting to know your neighbours when moving to a new place – while this will obviously help you to immerse yourselves in the local network, it is also a valuable means of gaining important local knowledge, whether it’s the best schools or information on house prices. The local pub or various village fetes and exhibitions can be a great way to get involved in village life.

Steve Lees, Head of Marketing at email4property.co.uk, said:

“Making the move from town to country can be a long awaited dream for many, but it’s important to remember that this type of move is going to involve considerable adjustment. The pace of life can often be a lot slower and a lot of the conveniences that have previously been on your doorstep – local newsagent/supermarket or public transport links may now be a car journey away. It’s important to be patient - locals will be much more welcoming if you are considerate and respectful of their way of life.

“It’s important to keep in mind why you’ve made the move – if it’s to enjoy more peaceful surroundings or to feel part of a real village community then make sure you get out and get involved! The local pub can be a great place to immerse yourself with the locals and can prove an excellent source of information as well as entertainment!”