Unexpectedly, things are now progressing quickly with the development plan area we originally targeted, so we now have the following two options to choose from:
Option a)
- Rural suburb
- Intercity bus takes 12 minutes to the city center
- By bike via "quiet" side paths along the federal road and across the highway in about 20 minutes to the city center (not a problem for me, but what about the children?)
- Primary school in the village, but crossing a federal road with a traffic light is necessary
Option b)
- Urban new development area on the outer edge of the city
- City bus within the same fare zone, about 20 minutes to the city center
- By bike about 25 minutes to downtown, but mostly through "busy" areas, passing through or along the city park
- School bus to the primary school less than 200 meters (yards) from the front door
Shopping options (supermarket and discount stores), bakeries, etc. are all very close to both locations. The highway is also nearby (no more than 5 minutes away in each case). Daycare centers are within walking distance at both locations, but the question always remains whether you can get a spot there or if you have to find daycare farther away. Prices are similar.
Both locations are basically and legally “quiet.” At the rural location a), a federal road runs 200 meters (about 220 yards) from the building site (closed to truck through traffic, and in practice almost no trucks drive there). Between the road and the site is a 6-meter (20 feet) noise barrier and housing. The highway is 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles) away as the crow flies and audible only in otherwise absolute silence (i.e., if you concentrate on it). At the urban location b), a highway feeder road is 500 meters (about 550 yards) away in a straight line, but noise is “softened” by various sound protection measures (houses are partly right next to it). The highway itself is 1.0 kilometer (0.6 miles) behind dense block housing and hills, hidden from view. There is no direct line of sight to the highway from either area. During the day, you can mostly hear general city noise in the urban area, while in the rural area, I haven't really noticed much of that; I would have to check. There I mainly hear the federal road and the highway, depending on wind direction. But in both cases, the noise is not disturbing—just noticeable if you pay attention.
Building is possible with two full floors in both areas. Lot sizes are similar. South-facing orientation is possible in both areas, so in principle, the floor plan would not need to change.
The urban area b) has a nice existing mature tree population, which I like, as long as it’s not directly on the property or blocking the sun (which it isn’t). In area a), the greener surroundings basically start from zero.
There is a district park within walking distance at location b), or a real forest at location a).
Any ideas? What other factors have you included in your decision-making process?
Option a)
- Rural suburb
- Intercity bus takes 12 minutes to the city center
- By bike via "quiet" side paths along the federal road and across the highway in about 20 minutes to the city center (not a problem for me, but what about the children?)
- Primary school in the village, but crossing a federal road with a traffic light is necessary
Option b)
- Urban new development area on the outer edge of the city
- City bus within the same fare zone, about 20 minutes to the city center
- By bike about 25 minutes to downtown, but mostly through "busy" areas, passing through or along the city park
- School bus to the primary school less than 200 meters (yards) from the front door
Shopping options (supermarket and discount stores), bakeries, etc. are all very close to both locations. The highway is also nearby (no more than 5 minutes away in each case). Daycare centers are within walking distance at both locations, but the question always remains whether you can get a spot there or if you have to find daycare farther away. Prices are similar.
Both locations are basically and legally “quiet.” At the rural location a), a federal road runs 200 meters (about 220 yards) from the building site (closed to truck through traffic, and in practice almost no trucks drive there). Between the road and the site is a 6-meter (20 feet) noise barrier and housing. The highway is 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles) away as the crow flies and audible only in otherwise absolute silence (i.e., if you concentrate on it). At the urban location b), a highway feeder road is 500 meters (about 550 yards) away in a straight line, but noise is “softened” by various sound protection measures (houses are partly right next to it). The highway itself is 1.0 kilometer (0.6 miles) behind dense block housing and hills, hidden from view. There is no direct line of sight to the highway from either area. During the day, you can mostly hear general city noise in the urban area, while in the rural area, I haven't really noticed much of that; I would have to check. There I mainly hear the federal road and the highway, depending on wind direction. But in both cases, the noise is not disturbing—just noticeable if you pay attention.
Building is possible with two full floors in both areas. Lot sizes are similar. South-facing orientation is possible in both areas, so in principle, the floor plan would not need to change.
The urban area b) has a nice existing mature tree population, which I like, as long as it’s not directly on the property or blocking the sun (which it isn’t). In area a), the greener surroundings basically start from zero.
There is a district park within walking distance at location b), or a real forest at location a).
Any ideas? What other factors have you included in your decision-making process?
We decided on a vacant lot in a village. The immediate neighbors are quite old, but the village is small, with a residential area that has been developed in the last 5 years and two more areas currently being designated for construction. So, I’m not worried about having children and social connections. It’s not as if everyone in a residential area is the same age and has children at the same time. Some start at 22, others at 35.