In a world where the news flashes daily images of war, terrorism
and crime more Americans are dreaming of a safe, quiet place to
call home. They imagine moving to a small town community where
safety and simplicity are easy to find. Potential homebuyers
between the ages of forty and sixty are the most likely to be
fed up with the fast pace of city dwelling. They are in search
of a renewed sense of community and family. Relocation or
purchase of a second home in a rural area can also be the
perfect idea for homebuyers looking for long-term retirement
solutions. I Was Born In A Small Town
Small town living is especially attractive to buyers who were
raised in a rural setting. Many want to recapture the security
of their childhood and preserve it for their children. According
to the National Association of REALTORS 2003 Profile of Home
Buyers and Sellers fifty-six percent of the homebuyers
purchasing in a rural location bought because of the
neighborhood, while thirty-eight percent purchased in order to
live closer to family and friends. The possibility of owning
more land is also appealing. The 2003 Profile also shows ten
percent of repeat buyers purchased property in rural settings
and most were hunting for more space. In Virginia, rural
counties like New Kent, Middlesex, Gloucester, King and Queen,
Mathews and King William are all seeing this relocation trend.
In my real estate business about eighty percent of my sales in
these areas are buyers moving from metropolitan areas. These are
places where you can sleep with the windows open and everyone in
town knows you. Many locations are only forty-five minutes or an
hour from the city, so buyers still have access to health care,
higher paying jobs, shopping centers and other activities.
Telecommuting: The Wave Of The Future
Technology is one of the driving forces behind the rural
relocation trend. According to the Main Street Economist (a
publication of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank’s Center For
The Study of Rural America) one fifth of the US workforce in
rural and small towns was self-employed in 2004. CNN.com writer
Jakob Nielsen, a web usability expert, also believes technology
will change the way Americans live and work over the next
fifteen years. On July 4, 2005 Nielsen wrote an article
predicting real estate sales in cities like Manhattan, London
and Tokyo will decrease by twenty percent by 2020. Technological
advances in the Internet, e-mail and collaboration software
makes telecommuting more feasible and companies will begin to
hire the best people regardless of location. Other advances in
home theaters, entertainment systems, e-commerce, express
shipping, and healthcare remote sensing will facilitate rural
living without isolation from the mainstream culture.
The Aftermath of September 11th
The National Association of REALTORS 2003 Profile of Home Buyers
and Sellers reports that twenty percent of homebuyers in the
Northeast purchased in a rural area and thirty one percent in
small towns. This is higher than the Midwestern, Southern or
Western regions of the country. Many people attribute a portion
of this trend to the September 11th attacks. It is a sad reality
that we have been forced to trade community security for
homeland security.
The Rural Relocation Checklist
Purchasing a home in a rural area can be a big adjustment for
those unaccustomed to it. Remember to make a list of all the
things that are important to you and your family. Map out the
location of hospitals, grocery stores, banks, schools and other
activities of interest. Be realistic about the time investment
and remember-peace and quiet can turn to boredom if you allow
it. Also, many rural areas do not have city road maintenance or
water and sewer pipes. Be sure you are ready to be responsible
for those aspects of your country home. If you live in the city
this may be new territory. Once you are certain relocation is
the right choice you will be on your way down your own country
road!
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