ᐅ Location, location, location! Or is it not that important after all?
Created on: 24 Feb 2019 11:09
C
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...
One should make a distinction. Location becomes important when you plan to sell the house later. Please assess how this village is likely to develop in the future. Will it decline? Stay away. Will the infrastructure improve? Great. Go for it. Are there business developments? Go for it.
The other aspect is, will you feel comfortable living there? A house is not only an investment but also a home, a refuge, a place to belong. Ask yourself, do I really want to live there? If yes, go ahead. K
The other aspect is, will you feel comfortable living there? A house is not only an investment but also a home, a refuge, a place to belong. Ask yourself, do I really want to live there? If yes, go ahead. K
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Camille198424 Feb 2019 20:13Thanks, Nordlys, for these questions!
Will the village die out?
I strongly believe it will not. The "villages" in this area are actually growing and regularly have new residential developments. Also, the second-hand market has no properties available, which shows that even the existing houses are occupied. It seems there is no vacancy.
Do I want to sell the house?
I would clearly say no. I’m a civil servant and can’t just move away from this region easily. I really like my job here and can imagine growing old in this place. The only potential issue is that I might meet a great man someday, and then I would have to find a solution.
How will the village develop in the future?
Of course, I don’t know. There are businesses even in the smallest villages around here—after all, this is Baden-Württemberg. But of course, the municipalities directly along the federal highway have more commercial zones. The infrastructure is acceptable. The child can take a bus to school or to a larger train station. He can also participate in hobbies in the city after school and later take a public bus home. In the evenings and at night, of course, it’s rather limited.
Currently, I have to drive him to his activities (he’s 6), and that doesn’t bother me. This kind of arrangement has always been common in my family. I also consider it normal to get up at night to pick him up. But yes, having a car at 18 was necessary for me living in the countryside, and it will be the same for my son.
In the future, a large new bypass for the B29 will be built nearby. That will likely cause property prices to rise even further.
The most important question: Can I feel comfortable here?
I moved to this area because I found a great job here. It was worth it to me to be far from my parents. I have a hobby where the new location is on the way—an advantage. In general, there is quite an active club life here, where I might find a place for myself. I think you need to participate in village life to really settle in. On the other hand, I hope to make local contacts through a new housing development. But I find it difficult to say how comfortable I will eventually feel. I think the larger the town, the easier it is.
Argh... I struggle most with the distance. Unfortunately, my dream town has a local resident model, and according to the official, I simply have no chance there. Plus, the price would already be around 200,000€ (about $213,000).
Will the village die out?
I strongly believe it will not. The "villages" in this area are actually growing and regularly have new residential developments. Also, the second-hand market has no properties available, which shows that even the existing houses are occupied. It seems there is no vacancy.
Do I want to sell the house?
I would clearly say no. I’m a civil servant and can’t just move away from this region easily. I really like my job here and can imagine growing old in this place. The only potential issue is that I might meet a great man someday, and then I would have to find a solution.
How will the village develop in the future?
Of course, I don’t know. There are businesses even in the smallest villages around here—after all, this is Baden-Württemberg. But of course, the municipalities directly along the federal highway have more commercial zones. The infrastructure is acceptable. The child can take a bus to school or to a larger train station. He can also participate in hobbies in the city after school and later take a public bus home. In the evenings and at night, of course, it’s rather limited.
Currently, I have to drive him to his activities (he’s 6), and that doesn’t bother me. This kind of arrangement has always been common in my family. I also consider it normal to get up at night to pick him up. But yes, having a car at 18 was necessary for me living in the countryside, and it will be the same for my son.
In the future, a large new bypass for the B29 will be built nearby. That will likely cause property prices to rise even further.
The most important question: Can I feel comfortable here?
I moved to this area because I found a great job here. It was worth it to me to be far from my parents. I have a hobby where the new location is on the way—an advantage. In general, there is quite an active club life here, where I might find a place for myself. I think you need to participate in village life to really settle in. On the other hand, I hope to make local contacts through a new housing development. But I find it difficult to say how comfortable I will eventually feel. I think the larger the town, the easier it is.
Argh... I struggle most with the distance. Unfortunately, my dream town has a local resident model, and according to the official, I simply have no chance there. Plus, the price would already be around 200,000€ (about $213,000).
C
Camille198424 Feb 2019 20:26:-)
Yes, a teacher... However, since my client base covers a radius of 75 meters (50 miles) in every direction, I can meet students in any future place I live. So that wouldn’t really be an issue ;-).
As I said, I spent a longer time in the city of Munich, and even there I had limited options.
I think I’m struggling because many colleagues live closer to work, and nowadays it’s often said that you should live closer to your workplace to save on driving, reduce pollution, cut costs, etc.
But maybe it’s also just this finality that makes me a bit nervous. Like maybe there’s something better out there...
But that’s my personal issue.
Yes, a teacher... However, since my client base covers a radius of 75 meters (50 miles) in every direction, I can meet students in any future place I live. So that wouldn’t really be an issue ;-).
As I said, I spent a longer time in the city of Munich, and even there I had limited options.
I think I’m struggling because many colleagues live closer to work, and nowadays it’s often said that you should live closer to your workplace to save on driving, reduce pollution, cut costs, etc.
But maybe it’s also just this finality that makes me a bit nervous. Like maybe there’s something better out there...
But that’s my personal issue.
Are you familiar with neuroscience? Roth? Feeling, thinking, acting. First comes the feeling, then reason provides the argument that the feeling wants, and finally you act according to how you feel. This has been proven in 1,000 experiments.
So imagine the land where your house would be. What do you feel? And then act accordingly. That way, you are true to yourself. Karsten
So imagine the land where your house would be. What do you feel? And then act accordingly. That way, you are true to yourself. Karsten
25 km (15.5 miles) is nothing. I once had to travel 40 km (25 miles) to the nearest major city... like many others.
Nowadays, I have 9 km (5.5 miles) and I really enjoy that, yes.
Still, in our rural area—small towns, municipalities, villages in between, asparagus and salad fields, with a big city to the north—20 to 30 km (12 to 19 miles) "through the villages" is completely normal.
During the drive, you listen to audiobooks or practice Italian again 🙂
By the way, where do you pick up your 6-year-old at night?
Nowadays, I have 9 km (5.5 miles) and I really enjoy that, yes.
Still, in our rural area—small towns, municipalities, villages in between, asparagus and salad fields, with a big city to the north—20 to 30 km (12 to 19 miles) "through the villages" is completely normal.
During the drive, you listen to audiobooks or practice Italian again 🙂
By the way, where do you pick up your 6-year-old at night?