Have you noticed that more and more families are looking for properties in the countryside? Parents in Britain want the best for their children. They naturally assume that the rural life can offer the best possible start for their family. Plenty of fresh air, natural landscape, wildlife, and less traffic. These are some of the key factors that weigh in for a countryside home. As a result, people tend to assume that all towns are grey, dirty and stressful. They are deemed unhealthy for the development of children, to the point where some are quick to judge your parenting skills on whether or not you choose to raise your children in an urban environment. Ultimately, we can’t deny it any longer: life in town has gained an unfairly bad reputation. While there’s no need to lie to ourselves: a sweet little cottage in the countryside can transform into the idyllic family home you’ve been dreaming of. There’s something strangely appealing and soothing to the rural life. But, if you can’t find the countryside cottage of your dreams, a townhome can also offer the perfect environment for your family, and here’s why!
A lot of parents choose to stay in towns
Contrary to the common belief, living in town doesn’t make you a bad parent. In fact, there are plenty of towns in the UK that have developed a wonderfully family-friendly environment. Newcastle has been voted the best city to raise a family in, as it has some of the most affordable homes in the country, outstanding schools in the area and an abundance of play parks to keep young children entertained. Besides, safety is also a predominant factor, and with its low burglary score, Newcastle has everything a young family could ask for. Derby, Wolverhampton, and Bath are in the top 5 most family-friendly cities in the UK, while London and Leeds appear at the bottom of the list, due to their high-prices, high levels of crimes and the difficulties experienced by parents to secure a school place. Ultimately, safety and low property prices are normally some of the main arguments to promote rural living. But, as you can see, many towns in the UK have made these an absolute standard too.
Town accommodations offer rural-like advantages
There are roughly 7 types of accommodations in the UK: bungalows, cottages, detached houses, flat, terrace house, semi-detached, and end of terrace. More often than not, families who live in town will be looking for an affordable house option, to ensure they can keep a garden area for their children. In large cities, flats are preferred as houses can be more expensive and high in demand. Ultimately, you may not have the supersize garden or the chicken coop you were dreaming of. But you can still enjoy the fresh fragrance of a few rose bushes, have a play area for the kids, and create a safe habitat for wildlife in your townhouse garden. Isn’t it, after all, what most parents want for their family? However, townhomes and especially British townhomes tend to be very small. In fact, the UK has the smallest homes in Europe. But, with some decluttering magic and a minimalist decor, you can make of most of the available space.
Why do people choose to live in towns?
Today’s young parents are, for the majority of them, educated and dynamic Millennials. Everywhere in the world, the Millennial generation has become the largest workforce population, and as a result, educated Millennials have been moving into towns to pursue their professional career. Because they’re innovative, digital savvy and entrepreneurial, the Millennial parents play an active role in populating and influencing large urban areas. The choice of making the urban environment their home guarantees access to the amenities and facilities they can’t find in the countryside. A community that offers all the advantages they need, from the gym club to the public transport, and protects their interests is unheard of in rural areas.
Making the most of what you’ve got
As most city homes have been around for a few generations, it’s likely that yours will need some love and improvements to become the perfect family home. A bathroom remodel, for instance, is a must for your family. Bathrooms are quick to show signs of tear and wear . Every couple of years, you need to redo the paintwork. And every 8 to 10 years, a bathroom needs a full renovation work to change all appliances and plumbing solutions. It’s an investment that can significantly improve your everyday life. Additionally, carpets are another interior element that can show signs of wear and become difficult to maintain with time. Hardwood flooring can not only upgrade your interior decor but also ensure the durability and hygiene of your floors. Ultimately, home improvements can transform a small urban house into a home that is right for your family.
Countryside living yes, but not off-the-grid
Contrary to the common belief, an isolated countryside lifestyle isn’t always the best thing for your family. Indeed, the peacefulness and quietness of a rural life can become an obstacle to the social development of young children, if you are not careful. While the city life can be stressful, it’s can be a potential risk for the socializing skills of your children to pick an isolated rural area for your family. Studies show that children who live in an extremely isolated environment can have troubles connecting with peers. As human interactions are limited, these children have even shown signs of slow language development. Consequently, children who grow up in town are often quicker to learn to speak, develop a broader vocabulary and master social skills faster and more in-depth than those who live in a small rural community with their parents. However, it’s important to understand that the rural environment is not the cause of the delay in your child’s development. Living off-the-grid can make it more difficult for your kids to bond with other people in later years. Countryside living needs to be part of a strong community so that your children can practice their social skills with the local population of your small town or village.
Is a rural home best for your child? The answer is not as straightforward as it seems. But ultimately, the city life isn’t as harmful as one might think!
