Should I Live in a Community or Rural Home?

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 15 November 2017 09:40

Deciding where to live and in which type of environment is by no means easy. Families with children, for example, may be weighing whether they should buy a home in a neighborhood or in a more rural environment. Living in a neighborhood has benefits and drawbacks for safety considerations, as well as neighborliness and personal choice.

Here are some pros and cons of neighborhood living versus purchasing a rural home.

Pros of Neighborhoods

They are safer for children.

Homeowners in neighborhoods like cul-de-sacs don’t get much through traffic at all, unlike other streets and roads. Not only that, but traffic has to drive more slowly than in other types of suburban or city developments. As a result, neighborhoods are safer for children. Your children are less likely to be hit by a car than on a busy avenue or road.

They can be quieter.

The lack of traffic also means neighborhoods and cul-de-sac communities can be quieter, without noise from traffic, including cars, public transportation like buses and even transportation networks like trains.

They encourage neighborliness.

Houses in developments are closer together than in the country. As a result, you are more likely to see your neighbors often. You have more opportunities for small talk and more opportunities to get to know them. There is a natural tendency for neighborhoods to be communities.

They discourage vandalism and crime.

The close-together nature of developments means that neighbors are around to notice if something criminal happens. Both vandalism and crime are much less likely to happen on a cul-de-sac, simply because vandals and criminals are unlikely to choose an area where neighbors might be looking out a window! Plus, if they do try it, they are more likely to be reported and caught.

They have good value.

Cul-de-sac homes are good values for several reasons. First, they usually sell for more than comparable homes elsewhere. They are more likely than rural homes to retain value. Why? Well, people are increasingly moving from rural spaces. By 2050, the percentage of people living in rural spaces is expected to be just 34 percent in the United States, versus 46 percent currently. The decline is primarily driven by economic considerations, as rural places are losing jobs. The slow drain of people from rural life and into more populated areas means that there are likely to be more prospective buyers lining up for neighborhood living than rural homes.

Second, if you decide to live in a new community, new construction can be a more attainable option than it might be if you were building on rural land. You can even save as much as 50 percent or more on energy costs by selecting energy-efficient appliances, for example.

home in rural mountains

Cons of Neighborhoods

Neighborhood children can be noisy and disruptive.

While kids are great, a number of children playing in neighborhood yards can be both noisy and disruptive. A pick-up ball game is great in theory, but the cheering and horseplay can go on for hours. It can even result in a baseball through your window.

In a rural home, you can get peace and quiet, and you don’t have to deal with a high number of kids in the neighborhood.

The homes are more expensive.

While higher prices for cul-de-sac living can be attractive when it comes time to sell them, it also means they’re more expensive when you’re looking to buy them! Current buyers likely get more bang for their buck in rural areas. Less population means less demand, and it’s often demand that drives up real estate prices.

Close neighbors can be intrusive.

Neighborliness that stems from physical proximity can be a two-edged sword. Neighborhoods have proximity and probably more opportunities for conversation, yes. But what if conversation with your neighbors isn’t always convenient or wanted? Rural homes are likely to offer more privacy, so you can talk when you want to whom you want.

There may be less nature nearby.

Rural homes are closer to nature. You’ll have more trees, fresh air and closeness to the natural world in a rural area. Developments may have a few trees, but not nearly the amount found in rural areas! Your children will grow up with an appreciation of the natural world and the opportunity to see more flowers, trees and animals.

Homes are harder to access.

Cul-de-sacs are close together. As a result, they have limited access should you or a neighbor need an emergency vehicle or need repair equipment. While need for access may be infrequent, it does happen. It needs to be planned for as a result. You don’t want fire equipment to be unable to park and find a hose because all available spaces are already taken. The same is true for ambulances, the electricity company and the water supplier.

Rural areas are more likely to have plentiful access for all these types of vehicles.

Neighborhood or rural home? The pros and cons can be weighed and discussed on both sides, but the choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle and preferences.

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Megan Wild

Hey there! I'm Megan, I'm a home improvement writer, blogger, and real estate investor and observer. Check out my posts for housing trends and latest happenings in U.S. and Pennsylvania!

www.yourwildhome.com

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