The Big City vs The Countryside

For most people, the choice of where they’re going to choose to live is already a decision they’ve made prior to even looking for houses. However, have you ever properly considered what city and countryside living offer and the pros and cons of both?

In this blog, we are going to talk about the ups and downs of both city living and countryside living. Hopefully, we can cover aspects of each location that you perhaps have never thought of before. 

Pros of Countryside Living 

Let’s start off positive and talk about the fantastic reasons to buy in the countryside. First things first, the peace and quiet. If you’re looking to be able to sit in your back garden with a morning coffee and hear nothing but the birds, the countryside is for you. 

Away from all the busy roads, construction and sirens, country living is definitely going to offer a peaceful lifestyle. Alongside the peace and quiet, you can expect beautiful landscapes across the countryside. One of the perks of living somewhere more rural is the views, no skyscrapers and factories blocking your view which for a lot of people is a huge selling point of a house, the views. 

Secondly, you typically get much more for your money. Houses in the countryside come in a lot cheaper than properties in the city centre. Although the price gap is beginning to close since the pandemic, it is definitely still prevalent. 

Not forgetting the slower pace of life the countryside offers. For the most part, the air is cleaner than in the big city, the roads are quieter, you won’t experience rush hour traffic and generally speaking the crime rates are a lot lower. If you’re looking for somewhere safe and quiet for your family, the country is for you. 

Cons of Countryside Living 

The most obvious con of countryside living is in the name itself. You’re in the countryside, there’s not much around you or a great deal to do. You would have to factor things into your day-to-day life that you perhaps wouldn’t have had to consider if you lived in the city centre. Small things like your nearest supermarket could be 20 minutes away, meaning it’s not as easy to nip out if you run out of milk.  

Additionally, it may be harder to socialise with friends and family, if you are a very sociable person, the country might not be for you. More time and petrol money will have to be factored into your lifestyle if you are living somewhere more rural as transport links will also be very limited. 

You should also keep in mind that employment options in the countryside aren’t quite as plentiful as they are in urban regions. If your move to the country doesn’t entail a job this is definitely something that you should be mindful of. If you own your own business or have a home office, you should look into the broadband and mobile coverage in the location you’re moving to. 

The digital divide has a significant influence on rural populations. This means that many people do not receive strong mobile or broadband signals. Sometimes they receive neither. Even though this is getting better, many rural communities still have enormous connectivity gaps. 

Pros of City Centre Living 

As a result of living in the city centre, you can guarantee that everything you need will only be a short walk away. The city isn’t short of shops, bars and restaurants. The need for your own car isn’t as important as the countryside as everything you need is on your doorstep. Coupled with excellent public transport links, you won’t ever be short of a way to get around the city.  

City centres such as Manchester, have trams, buses, trains and an abundance of taxis readily available for you to use. Not forgetting many cities, including Manchester, offer free buses to connect you to popular city destinations. In addition, you will also have airports at arm’s reach, a great benefit to living in the hustle and bustle. This doesn’t mean you wouldn’t find an airport near you in the country, just that they are more easily accessible if you live in or closer to the city centre. 

Another great thing about living in the city is the job opportunities that present themselves. Whether it’s part-time or full-time work, corporate work or retail and hospitality, the city will have it. Hand in hand with this comes financial benefits. You will be more likely to find higher salaries within the city in comparison to the country due to the lack of well-established businesses in rural areas. 

Cons of City Centre Living 

One word. Pollution. The city centre is full of it due to high traffic and population. If you value clean air, the city isn’t for you. Because of the popularity of city centres for both work and leisure, the pollution/air quality isn’t like the countryside.  

If you do choose to drive in the city, it’s very expensive. Many cities are now introducing zones in which you have to pay to drive in to help reduce emissions. On top of this, city centre parking is extortionate. Expect to pay a fortune to be able to park within walking distance of your destination. This is the reason public transport is so popular as it is cheaper to take the bus or train than drive your car.  

Not only is it expensive to drive in the city, it also takes a long time. Think of rush hour traffic but all the time. Expect lots of roadworks, waiting around and impatient drivers if you choose to drive through the centre. This also comes hand in hand with higher car insurance premiums due to higher chances of traffic accidents. 

Another key point is the cost of living is significantly higher than in the countryside. This goes for properties, bills, shopping, and leisure. Although this balances with salaries being higher, it is something to bear in mind if you are an avid budgeter and someone who is currently saving money, this might be challenging in the city. 

Hopefully, this list has helped you consider some aspects of locations that you perhaps hadn’t thought of. Our expert staff across our branches in Urmston, Stretford and Monton are here to help. Find your perfect home, no matter where it may be and contact our friendly team today.