Village Life – why these clients chose living in a village over living in a town
Town or village? This is one of the main questions we get asked when clients learn more about the Chilterns and moving into the area. Typically, pre pandemic, clients were keen to live in commuter towns with easy access to the train station, great schools and good-sized living and outdoor space. However, the pandemic has changed the way we work and the way we live and more and more people are seeking out a different life-work balance as they increase the number of days that they work from home (WFH). We recently highlighted how home buyers have changed their priorities when house hunting with distance from the train station taking a lower ranking priority than in previous years. This is due the rise in demand for village properties.
So why are villages now more in demand than before?
With the move to WFH, clients are realising that they can get more for their money buying in a village than in a commuter town. The most obvious bonus is that they can get more in terms of size of house and garden. For the same budget you can typically gain an extra bedroom and bathroom and /or downstairs reception room/extra WFH office. Gardens are also usually bigger and roads are quieter. Aside from the greater house and living size, many clients are also seeking out villages for the greater sense of community and family feel.
But what are the downsides to village life?
Of course, there are downsides to living in a village over a town – notably the need to be in the car to access commuting options and larger shopping and leisure facilities. Many clients choose the towns of Gerrards Cross, Berkhamsted, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Henley-on-Thames, Thame for the ability to walk to the train station, the range of schooling options at primary and secondary level and access to a range of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, leisure facilities such as gyms and theatres. These lifestyle factors were more important to them than direct access to the countryside. Many also worry that villages will have an insular feel and it will be difficult to integrate and will the community be welcoming to newcomers. We are happy to report that not one of our clients has ever experienced a concern in moving to a village.
What clients say who we have moved into villages
Mr and Mrs S moved to Seer Green from Chelsea
They were keen to feel a more rural connection to raise their family. Commuting was still of high importance but the village of Seer Green near Beaconsfield ticked all the boxes. Seer Green station is on the mainline into Marylebone (admittedly not every train stops here but a healthy number do), it has an excellent primary school, two pubs, a handful of shops, the Beaconsfield Golf Club is located here and it has access to incredible countryside. The community life is vibrant with thriving sporting clubs and family activities.
‘We wanted to live somewhere where we could stroll to get a coffee but also where we felt part of a community with access to all the essential amenities but in a rural setting. Seer Green has been incredibly welcoming and we couldn’t be happier’.
Mr E and Ms H moved to Penn from Notting Hill
They were keen to be in a character house with walks on the doorstep for the new dog that they wanted in their life. The pandemic had led to a permanent shift in working from home for the majority of their time so space for two offices was a key requirement. The ability to commute when needed was also important. When we showed them a character property with walled back garden in the village of Penn with its iconic duck pond, they knew this would be the village for them. Penn has a primary school, a few shops, a doctor’s surgery, active tennis and football club and rolling countryside on the doorstep. Located just 2 miles from Beaconsfield train station and the vibrant High Street (including Waitrose, M&S and Sainsburys), Penn was ideal for their needs.
‘We have been made to feel part of the community as soon as we arrived. The local pubs are welcoming and dog walking across the fields in between meetings and seeing locals for a chat has been a welcome change from our London life’.
Mr and Mrs L moved to Cookham from Crouch End.
Cookham was top of the list for this family as it is nestled on the River Thames and is a mecca for sailing and water sports enthusiasts or simply those who enjoy a stroll along the river. Cookham has an upmarket High Steet with a handful of pubs and restaurants and two village schools. Cookham also boasts a number of beautiful character properties which make it a picture-perfect village. There are stunning walks in the nearby rolling hills yet the train station is on the doorstep in Cookham Dean which connects to Maidenhead and all main lines.
‘We have found our forever house and village. The neighbours have been so welcoming. Cookham has everything we were looking for’.
Mr and Mrs W moved to Jordans from Ealing
They were in search of recreating the rural upbringing that they both enjoyed as children. Both Mr and Mrs S had rural upbringings and enjoyed the feeling of space and community and they were keen to replicate this for their boys. Jordans is a hamlet with a village green and primary school and village shop and feels a million miles from anywhere. However, it is just 3.5 miles from Beaconsfield with all its amenities.
‘The move here has literally changed our lives. The boys have so much freedom to roam and explore and we live a much more outdoorsy life now. They have made excellent friends in the village and have a great sense of independence’.
Mr and Mrs B moved to Haddenham from Shoreditch.
Property is hard to find in this sought-after village in the heart of Buckinghamshire. We searched here and other villages for quite some time but the couple, who were keen to start a family, were eager to move and settle to the area so they decided to rent here whilst waiting for more property to come to the market. Haddenham has a glorious duck pond at the heart of the village and also boasts a number of shops, a farm shop, primary school, two pubs and access to Haddenham and Thame railway station.
‘Once we had visited Haddenham and got a feel for the village we just wanted to move here and start our ‘new life’ in the countryside. The locals have been so welcoming and there is so much going on for young families.’
If you think that village life could be for you but don’t know where to start your search then please do get in touch. Call on. + 44(0) 1494 672086 or email: enquiries@chilternrelocation.com or visit our website: www.chilternrelocation.com
