The housing market is booming, and people are taking this opportunity to move out of cities and into suburban and rural areas. These migration patterns are largely due to record low mortgage rates and the fact that many companies are offering fully remote options. In fact, a recent Redfin report found that 30% of homebuyers are looking to relocate to more affordable areas. Homeowners from all over the country are deciding that it’s time to move – the question is, where are people moving to, and should you follow?
Currently, the top cities homebuyers are moving to are Miami, FL, Phoenix, AZ, Sacramento, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Tampa, FL. However, other homeowners are deciding to take it a step further and move to rural areas. If you have lived in an urban area for your entire life, you may not have all of the information needed to decide if moving to the country is the right choice. To help you decide, we’ve gathered some of the perks of rural living and some things you may want to consider.
The perks of rural living
Before asking yourself “where should I move”, understand the benefits of rural living.
There is a strong sense of community
When you live in a less populated area or a small town, people tend to interact more and there’s a sense of community between neighbors. Of course, every community is different, but for the most part, people find rural neighbors more likely to look out for each other. Many rural homeowners feel a sense of belonging in their community, making getting together for events like book clubs or dinner parties very common. In these communities, neighbors lean on each other for support which often creates strong bonds between families.
Children have more space
Moving to the country has many benefits for families with small children, couples who are expecting, or those who are just preparing for a larger family in the future. It can be pricey to own a home with several rooms and a large yard for children to play in in heavily-populated areas. However, rural areas have homes with more square footage, and they are often built on larger properties than city homes. A home with several rooms allows children to have their own bedroom or playroom, and a larger backyard has extra space that could hold a pool, swing set, or sandbox.
Another factor when deciding to move to a rural area is ensuring that you are moving to a place that will keep your family safe. According to a recent Redfin report, 50% of homeowners claimed that crime and safety was the number one factor influencing their decision when moving to a new area. Some people find that rural areas make them feel safer than urban areas, making rural areas a more desirable place for their families to live.
You have more flexibility
When deciding where you should move, space is often a major consideration. When you have more space, you have more flexibility to change your home to fit your current needs. And if you have small children, you may want your backyard to be filled with play structures like monkey bars, a treehouse, or a trampoline.
As they grow up, you can change the backyard by adding new outdoor living spaces that would be fun for the whole family, like a fire pit, gardening space, or patio. A large property gives you the option to build larger structures in the future. Some popular structures homeowners choose to build are she-sheds, greenhouses, or small chicken coops. These structures allow homeowners to step outside of their homes and have a space to think or partake in a new hobby. Overall, the more space you have, the more flexibility you have to create a home that grows with you – no matter what stage of life you are in.
Things to consider when moving to the country
Before packing your bags and moving to the country, here are some things to consider about rural living.
Animal hazards
There are a few hazards you may not think about when moving to the country. Large animals typically stay away from cities but are more common in the countryside. Be cautious when driving at night to avoid animals and be sure all animals are inside the home at night if you do not have a fence.
Distance
In urban areas, it’s common for people to walk or use public transportation when getting groceries, going to restaurants, or visiting friends. However, in rural areas, everything is more spread out, and there are not as many public transportation options. For example, the closest grocery store to a home in a rural area may be a 15-minute drive away. Before moving to a rural area, it’s a good idea to have some form of transportation to make sure you can easily get around.
Should I move to the country?
Deciding where to move is a huge decision and there will always be many factors that homeowners need to consider. Moving to the country may not be right for everyone, but if you are looking to move to a place where you can slow down and put some space between you and the city – then rural living might be the perfect choice for you.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.