Slow down of Suburbanization- will more people move to flats and small houses in the cities to reduce petrol costs, gas bills and electricity bills

[onthefencesitter]

My DH is convinced the above would happen. He thinks that the growth of the suburbs (commuter towns and outer london) was accelerated by expensive property prices in central areas but also by relatively low costs of fuel and gas for many years. This would no longer be the case so will people opt for smaller homes in locations where you can cycle and walk everywhere, thereby reducing costs. Did this happen in the 1970s?

I am not so sure...

www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/couple-sell-five-bedroom-house-24871218

More than half of all house hunters would want to downsize if reducing bills.

It won't work for everyone, or even for most. For me, it is worthwhile to live in a flat because my energy bills are less than £100 for a 4 member family, 2 of whom work from home. We also walk and cycle everywhere.

The price gap between flat and house can be so big that it is possible to be mortgage free or have a tiny mortgage just by downsizing. Well worth paying moving costs..You can pay energy bills and your increased costs (expect inflation to be close to 20% sooner or later).

It's not a preference. It's whether you can pay bills and 20% inflation possibly with a job loss in the family. I understand that people can wear jumpers and play in the garden instead of going on holiday but school uniforms still need to be bought and big houses also need maintenance and vegetables need to be bought in winter unless you preserve them or something..

@onthefencesitter How on earth is it costing your colleague £700pm in energy? We live in a decent sized draughty old 5 bed and our energy cost was £250 a month recently reduced to £200 because we're now £300 in credit.

I have no idea as I am not him. He did have in law's living with him and maybe they get cold easily. As well as two kids. He has all new appliances too. Energy rating is F though.

EPCs are not fit for purpose unfortunately, they suggest ridiculous 'fixes' to up the score and don't give a true picture. We only spend around average £200pm for energy for our old detached cottage (oil for heating), not much more really than on our previous newbuild. We are also rated F, but the house is cosy despite stone floors etc. We have individual rooms and no open plan which I think makes a big difference. We also have space to grow a lot of our own fruit and veg, which we didn't previously and which will help in future I think with food bills going up etc. It really depends what you want to spend your budget on, some prefer a country life others want the city life.

For those who need/want to live in a city/town, its a great idea and a great way to revitalise inner cities