Research in 2022 from Experian illustrates that flexible working opportunities that have arisen following the pandemic have resulted in a permanent shift from city centre living to smaller towns and villages. If you’re planning on swapping your fast-paced city lifestyle for a more tranquil and relaxed way of life in a small town, here are some of our top tips to make this transition as seamless as possible.

Conduct Some Neighbourhood Research

Every neighbourhood has its pros and cons, so make sure to spend time looking at property listings, local news stories and local business reviews online to get a good idea of what the areas you are considering moving to have to offer. Try to visit and spend some time in the local areas you have been researching, as this will always give you a clearer idea of what life will be like if you do decide to make the move.

Research Living Costs

Everything from property prices to groceries tend to be more affordable in small towns compared to larger cities, however, this isn’t always the case. Researching the living costs in the area you are considering moving to will help you to organise your finances and ensure you will be able to live your desired lifestyle in your new home. This information will help you to create a realistic budget, which you can use to inform decisions regarding the area in which you choose to live, the type of property you move to, and the activities you get involved with.

Connect with your Neighbours

Often you can maintain a certain level of anonymity when living in the city, however the community in smaller towns tends to be rather more tight knit. We’re definitely not saying that you need to throw yourself into every neighbourhood meeting or activity, but connecting with your immediate neighbours will help you to settle into your new surroundings much quicker.

Plus, your neighbours will have all the information you’ll need about your new area. So, if you’re looking for recommendations for vets, supermarkets or which broadband service provides the most reliable connection, ask your neighbours. The chances are they will be very willing to help you find your feet.

Prepare for a Lifestyle Change

Before moving to a new area, it is always beneficial to look into the ways in which your location might impact your lifestyle. Everything from public transportation options to grocery stores, the local job market and amenities should be researched in advance to ensure that you aren’t met with any nasty surprises.

For example, if you work from home, you might need to contend with a slower Wi-Fi connection or be prepared to spend more per month on your broadband deal to receive the speeds you have become accustomed to in the city. Or if you enjoy watching the latest films as soon as they’re released, you might need to factor in travelling a bit further to your nearest cinema.

Seek Out Opportunities to Socialise

If you’re keen to enjoy a full social calendar, it’s worth making the effort to get to know as many people in your local community as possible. Ask your neighbours about popular local activities and enquire about any local events that are held throughout the year.

Volunteering with local organisations or joining exercise classes at the gym are also excellent ways to meet new, like minded people with shared interests. You might not meet your new best friend instantly, but over time, you’ll find a solid group of friends and neighbours you can enjoy spending time with.

Factor in Additional Investments

In many ways, small town life is very different from city life, so you might need to make some investments to make life a bit easier. For example, while many towns are served by a reliable public transportation network, some aren’t. So, it might be advisable to invest in a reliable car to ensure you have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

Work with a Reputable Moving Company

Making a big move can be a highly stressful experience but taking steps to minimise those stressors will help to make the experience much easier. The key is to find a team that understands the scope of your move and offers the range of packing, storage and moving services you need.

If you’re making the move to one of the smaller towns outside Bristol, Bristol Van Removals offers specialist moving services designed to take the stress out of moving.