Whether it’s the beauty of nature or the allure of growing your own organic produce, there’s an enduring appeal to life in the countryside. But it’s not just a romantic pipe dream, the reality is packed with tangible benefits for home buyers from all walks of life – both in terms of lifestyle and investment returns.
An ode to life in the countryside
Space
It doesn’t matter if you’re buying in the UK, USA, France or anywhere in the world, the price per square metre is likely to be lower in the countryside than the city. Even better, properties in rural areas tend to be larger on average. This means that you have a much better chance of finding a luxuriously large property with potential for development both indoors and out.
Air quality
The damage diesel fumes are doing to urban air quality is a global concern, as organisations and individuals attempt to get to grips with the growing health crisis in polluted cities. While rural communities aren’t immune to these problems, particularly if they’re close to out-of-town industrial or farming developments, life in the countryside can provide a breath of fresh air if you choose the right spot.
Fresh produce
Life in the countryside is more than just the location – it’s the lifestyle too. The growth in green, healthy eating trends like organic farming, local sourcing and foraging have made living in the countryside an ever more appealing prospect. So when you’re investing in a rural property, remember that verdant forests and ethical farmers are the equivalents to supermarkets and restaurants for would-be rural buyers.
Price appreciation
After years of rising prices in urban centres, these benefits to life in the countryside are once again starting to command a premium in the property market. And with big differences in affordability in different rural counties, there are plenty of opportunities to identify an area with potential.
Alternative investment options
Cities may boast investments that are packaged, branded and targeted at people from all walks of life, but the real estate market in the countryside has the potential for a much more personal approach. With plenty of scope to buy a plot of land and develop your own dream home (or investment property), and with incentives available for buying historic properties or joining rural communities, you can find a unique path that might be much more lucrative than attempting the same prospect in the city.
Lucrative sidelines
You can use your extra space to host guests who are keen to explore the local area, and even partner up with some of those local foraging and farming experts to offer activities. Alternatively, invest in a mixed use property and harness (or sublet) barns or outhouses for business, or grow fresh organic herbs in your ample acreage.
The business and lifestyle opportunities in the countryside are vast. If you need help identifying the ideal locale, our worldwide network of Engel & Völkers realtors are perfectly equipped to help. And in the meantime, our regularly updated property insights can give you the background information you need to develop your dreams.