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 A prime reason for moving to the countryside is that you will feel the sense of community straight away. Although, whatever type of community you want to be a part of, it's important to have a look around different villages before setting your eyes on a specific property.
We've got some helpful ideas that should get you thinking about what kind of country lifestyle you'd like, helping you to choose a happy place to set up home.
Visit the village or area you are interested in, and:-
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Have a look at the village notice board. If it's full of adverts and posters, this is a good sign of a thriving village with a good community atmosphere.
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Go to the local pub and have a chat with some of the locals. They'll fill you in on what life's really like, and you'll be able to grasp what the people are like too. Remember, they could end up being your neighbours, so it's important you feel they're a friendly neighbourhood.
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Go to a service at the church. You may be able to get a copy of the village magazine to give you an idea of what events are happening.
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Walking around the village will give you a better sense of the atmosphere than driving around. You'll be able to stop and chat to people - the more information you find out, the better idea you will get whether this is the place for you and your family.
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If the village still has a post office or store, check the window for notices and events. Better still pop in and have a chat to the owner or shoppers, you'll find people will have the time to talk.
Before you Buy
Below is a checklist of things to think about before you buy. Some of the points might be obvious, but you'd kick yourself if you found you'd forgotten to check one of them and then found it to be a problem once you'd moved. It's better to think about them now before it's maybe too late!
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Check with the local council about building and development plans in the area. Moving to somewhere quiet then finding a huge new housing estate or business park will be build next door will spoil your dream of a spacious, peaceful country lifestyle.
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A picture-postcard cottage might seem like your dream home, but remember, location is the key. Look at the schools and other services in the area. If you're tempted by a cheaply priced property, be aware that what might look like a bargain could well be neglected in both amenities and resale value.
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Check how far away other local communications and transport links are, such as the motorway, train station, shops, entertainment centre, leisure centre etc.
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If you have children, check which catchment area they'll fall into for schooling, and look at whether there are appropriate schools near by for secondary education. Use www.ofsted.gov.uk to read school inspection reports, or find out how they perform in exams by visiting www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables
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As with moving to any new area, there could be the problem of not getting on with your neighbours! Country folk have a reputation for being friendly, but it's still best to make sure you've spoken to a few of them and had a chat about the area before buying.
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Whilst looking around the area, think of what it would be like in the winter time. Will the roads be difficult to drive around? Will it be difficult to reach essential services such as the supermarket or doctors? Will the views change from beautiful to bleak?
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Look carefully at shared access routes near your property, and check for public right of way, as this may decrease your personal privacy.
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The country air might not always be as fresh as you'd like. Keep in mind that when it's fresh it's really fresh, but when it's not it can be quite potent!
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To find out more about the neighbourhood you may be moving to, visit www.upmystreet.com or www.homecheck.co.uk - both provide crime statistics and population profiles that could help you make your decision.
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