The pros and cons of rural lifestyle

Rural lifestyle is all about taking life a little slower and spending more time enjoying the things that really matter. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the property’s better value, the air is cleaner and the neighbours are miles away. But despite all the perks it's not all baby animals and blue skies - there are some challenges involved.

They aren't a problem if you're prepared for them, so if you're thinking about swapping your high heels for gumboots check out our list of the drawbacks and benefits of a rural lifestyle before you take the plunge. 

The benefits of country living

Peace, quiet and privacy

Fresh air, bird calls, the smell of fresh cut grass and not another soul in sight. If that sounds lovely to you then the peace, quiet and privacy that rural life affords might suit you well. Unlike some of New Zealand's cities the air in rural areas is clean, there are no traffic jams and no noisy neighbours.

Outside of New Zealand's cities time goes a little slower.

Better value land

In New Zealand's largest cities you'll struggle to find a luxury property with plenty of land for less than $1 million. In Auckland you might have to spend double or triple that amount. The median price for properties in rural areas, on the other hand, is far lower. In the Central North Island the average asking price is under half a million dollars and in Otago it’s just over $400,000, according to realestate.co.nz data. As a rule of thumb the more remote the property, the cheaper it'll be per sqm. 

Proximity to nature

One of the best things about buying a lifestyle property is that it allows you to always be close to nature. This makes it easier for you to enjoy things you might not in the city, like hobby farming, tramping, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and much more.

What’s more, it’s now scientifically proven that enjoying nature and the open air more often can extend your life and improve your mental and physical health. 

Stronger sense of community    

People in cities move often and might have less time to stop for a chat with their neighbours. Rural communities are usually quite the opposite - due to the laid-back nature of life in the country and the down to earth people that prefer it, communities in these areas may be more close knit. Don't be surprised if your neighbours pop over with a bottle of wine when you move in.

The drawbacks of rural lifestyle

Finding employment can be more difficult

People from urban areas may find it difficult to find employment in rural areas of New Zealand, particularly service industry professionals and office workers. Plus if you're commuting to your current place of work there's a good chance that you're in for a long drive.

Are you ready to leave the city and enjoy more of what really matters?

Maintenance workload may be higher

While living on a lifestyle block will mean you've got more land to enjoy, it may also mean you have to handle a higher maintenance workload. Depending on the size and condition of the property you buy you might have to spend hours every week mowing lawns, trimming hedges and pulling weeds. When you visit any property you're considering, make sure you keep that in mind.

Some rural communities lack amenities

In the city you might be able to walk down the road to restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, schools and whatever else you might need. Depending on where you buy you might find your rural property isn't quite as handy to all the amenities you're used to. Plus you might have to deal with limited utilities such as dial up internet, slow cell coverage or getting your water from a tank rather than the mains.

You may also require different insurance for a rural property, which may be more costly or limited in its coverage, so be sure to talk to your broker before making the move. 

Rural life isn't for everyone, but if you're ready for a change it might just be perfect for you. Start searching for your patch of green grass at one of New Zealand's biggest online property listing websites - realestate.co.nz/rural