ᐅ Location, location, location! Or is it not that important after all?
Created on: 24 Feb 2019 11:09
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Camille1984
Hello,
Some time ago, I started a thread here asking whether it would be possible for a well-earning divorced woman with one child to realize the lifelong dream of owning a house. The responses were very kind, as long as I continued to approach this dream realistically.
Now the rather challenging search for land begins, and I quickly found myself facing the current reality again...
I currently live in a small town in the Eastern Alb district, about 65 km (40 miles) from Stuttgart. In this small town, the price per square meter for land in new development areas is around 250€ per sqm (about $270 per sq ft) and rising. I currently have a commute of about 15 km (9 miles) to my workplace. My workplace is in another nearby small town where land prices range from around 220€ per sqm (about $237 per sq ft) in the suburbs to much higher (city center), depending on the location. Unfortunately, I cannot afford these prices! No matter how much I calculate.
The more I look around, the more I realize that about every 20 to 30 km (12 to 19 miles) there are well-equipped small towns with good infrastructure and connections to Stuttgart or Ulm. Land prices in the villages beyond this are also extreme (usually from 200€ per sqm (about $215 per sq ft) upwards). In addition, there is the so-called “locals’ model” restricting purchases.
Now, a new development area is being designated in a nearby village with around 1200 inhabitants. I like the surroundings. Shopping options are accessible by car. There is a primary school and kindergarten on site (you should never say never) and there is good bus service to secondary schools for my son. For hobbies, driving is necessary, but I am used to this and willing to accept it. I myself come from a very rural area. The price is 150€ per sqm (about $161 per sq ft), also rising. For me, this is basically the upper limit...
I am considering applying for a building plot there. The downside is the significantly longer commute to my workplace of about 25 km (16 miles). Since I have civil servant status for life, I see little need to sell the house again, unless something happens to me and I have to sell. But then I would have other problems anyway. My son will probably not necessarily move into this house when he is an adult. If he inherits anything, great; if not, that’s just how it is.
How important would you rate the location of the land when financial resources are limited? My parents bought their house about 35 years ago by moving away from the metropolitan area into the countryside. Would you look for land further out to realize your dream? I am just uncertain...
Some time ago, I started a thread here asking whether it would be possible for a well-earning divorced woman with one child to realize the lifelong dream of owning a house. The responses were very kind, as long as I continued to approach this dream realistically.
Now the rather challenging search for land begins, and I quickly found myself facing the current reality again...
I currently live in a small town in the Eastern Alb district, about 65 km (40 miles) from Stuttgart. In this small town, the price per square meter for land in new development areas is around 250€ per sqm (about $270 per sq ft) and rising. I currently have a commute of about 15 km (9 miles) to my workplace. My workplace is in another nearby small town where land prices range from around 220€ per sqm (about $237 per sq ft) in the suburbs to much higher (city center), depending on the location. Unfortunately, I cannot afford these prices! No matter how much I calculate.
The more I look around, the more I realize that about every 20 to 30 km (12 to 19 miles) there are well-equipped small towns with good infrastructure and connections to Stuttgart or Ulm. Land prices in the villages beyond this are also extreme (usually from 200€ per sqm (about $215 per sq ft) upwards). In addition, there is the so-called “locals’ model” restricting purchases.
Now, a new development area is being designated in a nearby village with around 1200 inhabitants. I like the surroundings. Shopping options are accessible by car. There is a primary school and kindergarten on site (you should never say never) and there is good bus service to secondary schools for my son. For hobbies, driving is necessary, but I am used to this and willing to accept it. I myself come from a very rural area. The price is 150€ per sqm (about $161 per sq ft), also rising. For me, this is basically the upper limit...
I am considering applying for a building plot there. The downside is the significantly longer commute to my workplace of about 25 km (16 miles). Since I have civil servant status for life, I see little need to sell the house again, unless something happens to me and I have to sell. But then I would have other problems anyway. My son will probably not necessarily move into this house when he is an adult. If he inherits anything, great; if not, that’s just how it is.
How important would you rate the location of the land when financial resources are limited? My parents bought their house about 35 years ago by moving away from the metropolitan area into the countryside. Would you look for land further out to realize your dream? I am just uncertain...
Camille1984 schrieb:
No, no. It’s currently 15 km (9 miles) and would then be 25 km (16 miles). But it’s all through rural areas, also passing through the current small town. Google Maps says the driving time would be just under 30 minutes. There is also a route via the highway, but in the mornings that can easily take… an hour. 25 km (16 miles) through rural areas is quite manageable. I currently travel 30 km (19 miles) myself, which is also not very stressful. If everything else about the location fits, I think it’s a good compromise that allows owning a home. Some friends who live in a big city and use public transport also spend half an hour commuting.
montessalet24 Feb 2019 13:30The 25km (15.5 miles) distance is manageable, especially since you apparently have no alternatives. Land prices will continue to rise. I would go for it. It won’t get any cheaper—neither the land nor the construction itself.
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Camille198424 Feb 2019 13:51Thank you for your previous opinions.
Yes, it seems I don’t really have any alternatives. Since I come from a rural area, I have been used to long distances since childhood and don’t find them problematic.
I think people feel uncertain when many colleagues live only about 10 to 12 km (6 to 7.5 miles) from their workplace. Here, however, there are often 1.5 to 2 full-time workers per household. It’s also common to have an inherited plot of land or something similar involved.
If I ever get too old for longer commutes, I hope society will be so aged by then that delivery services are available for just about everything ;-).
Yes, it seems I don’t really have any alternatives. Since I come from a rural area, I have been used to long distances since childhood and don’t find them problematic.
I think people feel uncertain when many colleagues live only about 10 to 12 km (6 to 7.5 miles) from their workplace. Here, however, there are often 1.5 to 2 full-time workers per household. It’s also common to have an inherited plot of land or something similar involved.
If I ever get too old for longer commutes, I hope society will be so aged by then that delivery services are available for just about everything ;-).
A rural location with a bus connection sounds good!
You shouldn’t eat where you defecate. Meaning: you shouldn’t work where you live. It only causes problems. This applies to police officers as well as any other public service employees.
Camille1984 schrieb:
I am now considering applying for a building plot. The downside is the significantly longer commute to my workplace of about 25 meters (16 miles).
You shouldn’t eat where you defecate. Meaning: you shouldn’t work where you live. It only causes problems. This applies to police officers as well as any other public service employees.
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HilfeHilfe24 Feb 2019 14:35Well, then you combine the trip with shopping, etc.
I agree with the others. Go for it. It probably won’t get any cheaper in this lifetime...
We commute 50 km (31 miles) one way and still paid 640€/sqm (59.46 USD/sqft). Unfortunately, we can only dream of prices below 200 here. So everything is relative. For my situation, 25 km (15.5 miles) and 30 minutes is definitely very manageable.
We commute 50 km (31 miles) one way and still paid 640€/sqm (59.46 USD/sqft). Unfortunately, we can only dream of prices below 200 here. So everything is relative. For my situation, 25 km (15.5 miles) and 30 minutes is definitely very manageable.