If you follow me online, you will have probably seen some recent posts regarding my recent house move. Over the years we haven’t been prolific house movers, in fact as a family, this will only be our second move, so we are hardly experts in the whole moving process.
This got me thinking about what do we need from a house in terms of location, compared to what we think we need? Which are two entirely different things.
Although I really enjoy city breaks, both home and overseas, the stresses of living in a city would be too much for me. Don’t get me wrong, city life does bring some good things, but for me, the negatives would far outweigh the positives. Even small cities can be busy these days and not easy places to navigate for the uninitiated and I am not a lover of crowds or crowded spaces. We can easily be blinded when in “holiday mode” and visiting different locations. Many of the cities I have visited are beautiful and offer so much in the way of history and culture, but what I need and want on holiday is far different to what I need 365 days a year when I am back home.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, I also love picturesque country villages and have holidayed in many different locations here in the UK over the years and stayed in some truly beautiful villages, but would they be just “too quiet”, long term? The thought and idea of a location like this sounds idyllic, but to live there through the long dark winter months? Would I be able to cope with that? I’m not so sure that I would.
Therefore by default does that make me a “Townie”? Before anybody points out the obvious, I do actually live in a Village, but it is connected to a larger Town, so I would say that makes me still part of the Town.
I have only ever lived in a ‘Town’, from a small child, to my latest move, it has always been a ‘Town”. When I moved with work over 20 years ago, it was from one town to another town, just 200 miles further North. So what does a town give me that a City or Village doesn’t? The easiest and most obvious answer is “the best of both worlds”. I have the convenience of all the amenities and facilities that I need within walking distance of home, without the stresses of large crowds and lots of traffic. Likewise I am literally a short walk from woods, forest and countryside. If I need the “City Life” short term, I am a short commute from the city by either car or train. This gives me everything I need, without the trappings of feeling “too busy, or too quiet”. Maybe my friends across the pond would refer to this as living in the Suburbs?
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love being by the sea and have an absolute yearning and desire to walk along the beach and listen to the sea, that would be idyllic and I would never tire of that come rain or shine, every single day.
Which brings me to my next point, do we think our needs and desires change with age? It seems logical to me. For example, the need to be near schools and colleges for me has now passed, which allows me the flexibility of living away from the school areas. However still being in full time work, I need to be within an easy commute to work, which therefore restricts my choices. As I am now approaching retirement, there is potentially room for one last move (I know, I have not even finished this move yet!), which again reinforces my view that our changes and needs alter with age.
So there is still hope yet of an eventual retirement home by the sea! You never know!
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you would call yourself and just as important, what are the things that you consider essential in a house location?
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This is tricky since I’m a bit of both. Not being able to drive due to epilepsy has me loving the city for the access to many form of transportation.
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City life does have many advantages, don get me wrong, everything is close to hand, but the crowds would stress me out every single week!
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They do for me as well. The serenity is what I miss most back home, waking up to the sound of nature not fire trucks, police sirens & loud music blaring from cars on the streets, lol.
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I live in the suburbs. It’s like living in a small town within a large city. I know all my neighbors. In fact, we had a block party Sunday evening. We had a nice mix of oldies but goodies like me and parents of young children and teens. I spend three months in Florida in a condo on the beach. It is beautiful but at the end of three months I am ready to come home to my kids, grandkids, and friends. I guess I’m a city girl. When traveling though, I prefer the small towns and villages to large cities.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me Tonya, your thoughts sound very similar to my own, by living in a Town or the suburbs I think you get the best of both worlds, the conveniences without the crowds
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We’re neither! We live in a small rural subdivision (3-5 acre lots). No town amenities at all, but lots of peace, almost no traffic, dark night skies (yes, we can see the Milky Way!). My husband thinks at some point we’ll have to give this lifestyle up, but I hope not.
Enjoy your new abode!
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It does sound pretty idyllic to be fair! No traffic and no noise sounds extremely appealing!
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I think it depends on where this town or village is situated. I made a major move this spring, from suburbs to Chicago proper, and one of the main drivers for this move was that in the city, I can live without a car, while in the suburbs, it was entirely impossible. And for you, living in a small town means that you can walk everywhere 🙂
I am happy to be a city dweller, happy to live in Rogers Park, the most northern Chicago neighborhood, and being just ten minute walk from the beach 🙂
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It sounds like you have worked out your needs and requirements perfectly Hettie. Like I say in my blog, these needs change as we get older and it’s important to recognise this, sounds like you are in the perfect location! Although I must say that your winters do look cold!
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I won’t deny that, but the good part is, they are relatively short! And I like the change of seasons.
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I think I like to live in the area that’s between both. Not quite city but definitely not in the middle of the country. Need good WiFi, a knitting wool and a fabric shop are a must as is a garden for my she shed
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That’s why for me a town ticks all the boxes
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I think you’ve got it figured out, Paul. Best of both worlds. One has to consider being close to larger city amenities for when the odd need arises (specialty stores, hospital, museums) but the peace and quiet of the countryside is a wonderful retreat. With remote work, many have new options open to them and I think our world is changing for the better – 2-hour, 1-way commutes are not good for health nor for the environment.
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I agree Lynne, the best of both words is the best compromise. You are right also, the world is quickly changing, many more people work from home and therefore being tied to a commutable distance for work no longer is an issue for people.
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