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Rural living

Looking to relocate to the countryside? Find advice in our Rural Living forum.

Original poster

Market Town or Idyllic Village

28 replies

Yk19 · 16/03/2023 13:43

So, we have decision to make on our next house move. We have put offers in on two properties. One is in a nice market town where our 3 kids go to School (primary but eldest about to go to secondary also same town) and one is a gorgeous village 4 miles (less than 10 min drive) away. We can't decide which to go for!

The village house has a huge garden (north west but is so big it doesn't matter hugely) is beautifully decorated and we love it. There is a pub, shop, hall and playing fields in village but it has a rubbish public transport service.

The town house needs a serious overhaul (part knock down and rebuild) l, has a north facing garden (but it is long) and is going to take some effort to get it to where the other house is...it probably will be a nice house but not quite as pretty or big (not much in it though sizewise). It does benefit from far more amenities close at hand but is still a similar distance to the nearest large town as the village.

What would you do? I love the idea of the convenience of the market town but we have fallen in love with the little village and the house there. Argh!!!

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 16/03/2023 13:54

I would go for the village, definitely. If you want to be in town can you keep looking? The one you have seen doesn't sound great.

asplashofmilk · 16/03/2023 13:57

I think going into secondary is a bad time to move to a village, I don't think village life is ideal for teenagers who want a bit of independence, need entertainment and access to friends. If you'd always lived in one it would be different but moving to one at that age, I can envisage resentment. I would go for the market town, if you still love the village in 10-15 years that would be a better time to move there!

QuintanaRoo · 16/03/2023 14:00

I'd need to see the listings :)

dietcokelime · 16/03/2023 14:02

Village 100%

4 miles is an easy cycle for a teenager if they have friends in the town they want to see!

Undermyduvet · 16/03/2023 14:06

Your heart sounds like it’s saying village. Personally I’d go for town. I’ve got a teen and she can walk to school, go to town with her friends and it’s a lot easier. Her friends all pretty much live outside of town and are reliant on getting lifts from parents.

MrsMoastyToasty · 16/03/2023 14:11

I live in s market town and I've noticed that the kids who live in the outlying villages have awful problems with transport to school unless their parents drive. The private bus hire companies have let them down on numerous occasions.

bigbluebus · 16/03/2023 14:14

dietcokelime · 16/03/2023 14:02

Village 100%

4 miles is an easy cycle for a teenager if they have friends in the town they want to see!

I live in a village just over 4 miles from a market town. The only roads to town are a major A road with masses of HGVs or a B road with lots of bends, no overtaking and drivers who seem to think they are the only vehicle on the road. So saying 4 miles is an easy ride for a teenager is a bit of a sweeping statement without knowing what the roads are like. I wouldn't do the journey to town on my bike (and I do cycle - but for pleasure on quieter routes) never mind letting a teenager do it.

If you want to spend your life in the car being a taxi service then choose the village. If you want to give your DCs some independence as they grow up then go for the town.

BareBelliedSneetch · 16/03/2023 14:18

I’ve been that teenager living in a small village a few miles out of town.

I won’t do that to my kids.

stickygotstuck · 16/03/2023 14:19

Town, without a doubt. Villages are not great for teens.

MyGrandmaLizzie · 16/03/2023 14:31

As a teen I lived in a village (could only just be called a village) and it was so boring. I just couldn't see my friends much outside of school. We moved there when I was 11. We had a huge garden which was great for young children but no good for older ones.

DPotter · 16/03/2023 15:04

Town - but not necessarily the house you described.

Villages are not good for teens - and there's no way on God's Earth I would recommend anyone cycling along our country lanes around here. No street lighting or footpaths either.

PlantPotato · 16/03/2023 17:42

Your heart clearly wants the village! But I think the town will be better in the long run.

Chasingsquirrels · 16/03/2023 17:49

I'm in a village - but it has no facilities to speak of (there is a pub - but it is closed & between landlords more often than it is open, there is a primary school, and a village hall, no shop).

I'd go for the market town, although not the house you described.

Our village was okay for the kids for primary, and secondary to the extent that there is a school bus - but not good for seeing friends out of school. Basically they need taxi-ing everywhere.
6th form is a nightmare we are only about 10 mins away but it's about 1.5hrs door to door, and the buses aren't that regular plus the last bus is 7pm.

And now I'm starting to think it won't be ideal as I get older either.

Original poster
Yk19 · 16/03/2023 18:42

Thanks all. Have to be honest I am leaning to the town. The house we are looking at would need planning and take about a year to be ready but that fits with our plans as a family so thinking it is worth it. We have done building work before so up for that and wouldn't have to live in throughout. It is a good sized plot and a rare opportunity locally. Not many houses come up very often. This is the first house on this road to be available for 10 years! I think we need to satisfy ourselves we can do the work and then go for it.

OP posts:
Grimbelina · 19/03/2023 21:00

Definitely town with teenagers. Village could be your next move (if you still hanker after it) when your children have left home.

Tumbleweed101 · 16/06/2023 18:56

We live in a village and it has been hard work as I need to take them to see friends, run then to school and first jobs before they drive. However I think if you are prepared for that part a village is fine. Just make sure there is school transport.

Ibiz · 19/06/2023 08:00

Good luck with your decision....
I'm also looking to move to Downham market we are in our 60s and are currently considering a small village named crimplesham.
What's your thoughts?

Ibiz · 19/06/2023 08:04

Hello
Looking to move to Downham market we are in our 60s and are currently considering a small village outside Downham market.
Crimplesham!!
Does anyone know the area and give me feedback weather or not its a nice area ?
Thank you.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/06/2023 08:05

Work out how long until your youngest is 18. That is at least how long you will be giving your dc several lifts a week, if nit per day.

ProfYaffle · 19/06/2023 08:09

I live in a market town with 2 teens. Totally agree it's far better for them and less running around for you. Kids in town tend to be the after school meeting points before the others scatter to their villages on the buses. Those that live in town have far more freedom, popping into each others houses and hanging out in town etc that said, the kids in villages tend to have bigger houses and host more sleepovers!

Roselilly36 · 19/06/2023 08:21

Definitely the town, small villages with teens, nothing to do, rubbish public transport is just so restrictive. You will be forever dropping kids off picking up until they pass driving test.

Roselilly36 · 19/06/2023 08:23

@Ibiz you will probably get a better response if you make a thread yourself. Good luck with the move.

troublenowyeh · 19/06/2023 08:52

Definitely the town if you have teenagers

Ibiz · 19/06/2023 09:45

Looking to move to Downham market
We are on our 60s.
The village is called crimplesham
What's your thoughts?
X

theresnolimits · 19/06/2023 09:50

Def the town. Otherwise you’ll be a taxi driver for years. More part time jobs as they get older. Also when they start driving you’ll be constantly worried about those country lanes at night.

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