Where to Move to...
If you are moving within the same area then this might not be a hard question. However, if you are moving to a new part of the country or even to a different part of the world, then you may be wondering exactly where your home is?
City Slick
High rise living has come a long way from the sixties and seventies council flats for most people. Today living above the 3rd floor can be just as trendy as living in a 5 bedroom house in the country.
High-rise tower blocks have had their fair share of knocks since their conception, but as the urban jungle shakes itself up and regenerates a new property market, it looks as though the surviving sixties tower block is becoming quite a little gold mine.
Considering that most people are waiting to have a family and get married these days, there are many young, professionals on the look out for a good bargain. Trendy towers have become the new urban cool, inspiring pop songs and attracting groovy residents.
So what's the attraction of the high-life? According to residents, high-rise blocks contain a sense of community and you cannot dispute that they have fantastic views over the city. Modern design translates to spacious room dimensions and balconies for chilling out in the evening.
However, be warned, as banks and building societies are less willing to secure mortgages on ex-council properties, especially over four or more storeys for reasons such as marketability and high maintenance fees.
But if you can get around these problems, the high life could be for you. If you are interested, then the best place to start looking is in the estate agent's window, as they know their area and will be able to advise if you are likely to face a problem with the finance.
Country Charm
However, if the tranquillity and beauty of a country cottage inspires you try to keep a rein on your romantic streak before diving in head first. Living in the middle of no-where can become very lonely if you're not careful. Buying in a remote location may well appeal, but you can pay for isolation in more ways than one. Make sure your budget stretches to a vehicle per adult and that your daily routine can also incorporate extra commuting or lifts to school.
As for neighbours, having them in your living room every day may not be your cup of tea, but having someone within walking distance for that odd emergency isn't such a bad thing.
Pick your village as carefully as your cottage. The sense of community that you can get in the countryside is a prime reason why people move there and it's easy to check out whether a particular village is a happy place to set up home. Talk to the people in the pub, go to a service in the church and check out the local schools. The village hall is usually the centre for village life; look at the notice board for local activities, toddler play groups, jumble sales, council and neighbourhood watch meetings - they are all a sign of a thriving village community.
There are many attractions to living in the countryside: a slower pace of life, knowing your neighbours, lower crime rate, fresh air and general wellbeing. But make sure that you're ready for the flip side of all these things. The pace may be too slow for your family, the country air may be infused with farmyard aromas and a new housing development could spoil your distant view.
If you're a country person, nothing beats life in a British village. However, don't be swayed by a picture-postcard cottage - location is the key. Think of the wintertime. Be aware of beauty turning into bleakness. How isolated do you want to be? Look carefully at boundaries, shared access and public right of way. Don't think country living is necessarily cheap. Sometimes it's more expensive than the city.