Escape or exile: are you ready for the impact of rural living?

A barn conversion on a working farm. A listed property in a fishing village. A thatched cottage on a country estate. On a sunny summer afternoon, they can all feel like a dream come true. On a frosty winter morning, they could be a nightmare. In this blog, our Residential Property experts look at how to prevent an escape to the country or the coast turning into an exile.

What key things should you research before moving to a rural location?

From local schools and shops to broadband and bus services, getting to know an area in advance can help you make a more informed decision about whether a location is right for you and your family. Don’t just rely on online searches or estate agent details, drop into the local village shop or pub and ask residents about daily life – the good and the bad!

How easy is it to travel in rural areas?

Single-track lanes, blind bends, farm vehicles – and animals! Driving in rural areas can be hazardous and time-consuming. In 2024, there were 72% more fatalities on rural roads than urban ones, and ten times more deaths on rural roads than on motorways.

Some country roads are used as short-cuts during school runs and rush hours, so it’s a good idea to check a property is not going to be impacted by traffic noise or queues. Schedule a visit during a peak travel time and remember to open windows and tour outdoor spaces to truly judge the impact on your tranquillity.

Driving conditions during the winter can be particularly challenging in remote areas with wet leaves and black ice patches. This means journeys could take a lot longer or even be impossible in some instances.

Public transport alternatives are likely to be limited; timetables might also change outside of tourist season or as a result of future cost-cutting measures. Almost a fifth of England’s rural bus services have vanished in the past five years – a bigger decline when compared with other areas of the country.

Do rural areas have reliable broadband?

Although the rollout of full fibre has helped to improve broadband speeds in some rural locations, others are still plagued with patchy and sluggish connections. According to one report, rural homes in the UK are 13 times more likely to lack decent broadband.

Ofcom’s definition of ‘decent’ is a download speed of at least 10 Mbit/s and an upload speed of at least 1 Mbit/s, which is unlikely to be enough for streaming your favourite TV show or joining an online meeting without any quality issues.

With full fibre to the premises, you could be looking at speeds of up to one gigabit per second – enough to support multiple online users and activities. If this is not a viable option, there are other ways to give a property’s bandwidth a boost, for example a satellite-based connection. There are various online tools where you can check the quality and availability of broadband services at your dream home.

What type of amenities are there in rural areas?

Some rural locations are more remote than others. If you’re based in or near to a thriving village, then there might be a local shop, church and pub close by. Around 50% of rural shoppers can walk to their local store. However, if it closes, the next one could be nearly three miles away.

The risk of closure is a big one especially in rural areas where there are fewer customers. The UK lost about 37 shops a day in 2024 while British pubs are currently closing at a rate of almost two per day. These losses might not be noticed in a large city, but they can rip the heart out of a small village. It’s worth visiting a location at different times of the day and week to assess the popularity and viability of local amenities.

Existing local health and education services could also be affected by economic and demographic changes. For example, declining numbers of children across England could impact the future of hundreds of primary schools. Smaller village schools, however, have their advantages. For example, they can allow for closer relationships between teachers, pupils and families, which can benefit children who may struggle in larger educational settings.

Realise your relocation dreams with specialist advice

Lifestyle impacts are not the only thing to consider when moving to the coast or country. Rural properties can come with additional maintenance and renovation challenges as well as higher running costs.

To help you realise your rural relocation dreams, our Residential Property specialists have put together a guide full of practical tips. You can download a free copy here. Our team are also on hand to provide personal conveyancing advice. You can contact them on enquiries@attwaters.co.uk or 0330 221 8855 or fill in an online form.