Should you move out of the city?

Jordan Mackay, Branch Manager at Aberdein Considine, offers his insight into the potential benefits of moving out of the city.

Winchburgh in West Lothian

Moving home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make.

The number of bedrooms you need or willingness to take on a project might fall into your ‘non-negotiable’ list. But if you’re open to the idea of living out of the city, that could open your property search up in a way you never thought possible.

Some people are born for city life and thrive on the hustle and bustle that brings. Everything is on your doorstep – shops, restaurants, workplaces, nightlife. However, others love the idea of settling into a quieter life – an escape from the noise, a sense of community, with lush country landscapes nearby.

Yes, buying a home outwith the city might well mean you have a longer commute into work. But that precious work-life balance might be boosted by returning to a country life. A slower pace of living, with peaceful outdoor space might be exactly what you need at the end of a long, busy day.

And it’s also worth noting that while, distance-wise, your commute might be longer, the time taken to make that journey could be less. Think less changing buses or jumping on packed trams and more about whether a drive or public transport to the outskirts could be just what you need to unwind.

One clear downside to life outwith the city is that you don’t have a full array of entertainment just a mere walk away. So, if frequent visits to the cinema or experimenting with different restaurants throughout the week is your thing then upping sticks to the country might not be for you.

But it’s always worth considering just how often you use these facilities – if not too frequently then a 20 to 30 minute journey is surely no big deal.
Let’s face facts though… you will get far more square footage for your buck if you buy out-with the city. So if space is what you’re after when making that step up the property ladder, branching out that little bit further afield could be the right move.

For example, the average property price in Edinburgh over the first eight months of 2018 was £271,427 compared to £178,609 in the town of Broxburn, located just outside the city in West Lothian.

Families with young children are likely to want as much space as possible inside and out, all of which comes at a premium price within the city.

In addition to larger homes for their budget, buyers may also benefit from being part of a close-knit community and the feeling of safety that countryside living can bring. Pets may also have more freedom with larger gardens, village or town greens and woodlands to explore nearby.

Living in the heart of a city can be great but moving slightly further afield can bring so many benefits, affordability aside. You truly can get the best of both worlds – enjoy the daytime buzz but retreat home to greener, calmer surroundings.