Hello community,
Regarding our house construction, I recently had to answer a lot of questions at work. We were discussing the daily commute, the surroundings, and the local infrastructure.
When searching for the right plot of land, many factors play an important role. Sometimes you have to accept compromises. For example, in our case, the infrastructure, meaning a kindergarten, has just been newly built within the residential area. The train connections to the major cities are perfectly located. And of course, having family a bit closer is also a plus. The price of land in rural areas is naturally different compared to city regions.
My question is: which criteria have been essential for you when searching for or choosing your plot of land? I’m also interested in your opinions regarding the daily commute. For me, it’s currently 60km (37 miles). However, my employer provides a job ticket that I can use seven days a week. And as mentioned above, the train connection to work is excellent.
I look forward to your active participation.
Thomas
Regarding our house construction, I recently had to answer a lot of questions at work. We were discussing the daily commute, the surroundings, and the local infrastructure.
When searching for the right plot of land, many factors play an important role. Sometimes you have to accept compromises. For example, in our case, the infrastructure, meaning a kindergarten, has just been newly built within the residential area. The train connections to the major cities are perfectly located. And of course, having family a bit closer is also a plus. The price of land in rural areas is naturally different compared to city regions.
My question is: which criteria have been essential for you when searching for or choosing your plot of land? I’m also interested in your opinions regarding the daily commute. For me, it’s currently 60km (37 miles). However, my employer provides a job ticket that I can use seven days a week. And as mentioned above, the train connection to work is excellent.
I look forward to your active participation.
Thomas
Our reasons were similar when searching. The new daycare center in our future development area, the commuting distance by train to Cologne, the prices compared to Cologne, where I work and where we currently live, as well as the accessibility of grocery stores by foot and bike, were all decisive factors. We try to avoid using the car as much as possible; I also have a VRS commuter ticket, and my wife works from home (which is why we need a spacious home office). A 60 km (37 miles) commute to work is quite a distance, but luckily I don’t have that—although my travel time will still increase compared to before. So, in short, the reasons are very similar.
Umbau-Susi11 Jan 2015 20:57We had a lot to consider as well. At our age, we no longer need a kindergarten or anything like that. However, because I am unable to drive due to a severe visual impairment, it had to be somewhere accessible by tram. A supermarket within walking distance was also important. And ideally, the commute to work would be possible by tram or on foot.
Dreams, dreams.
We searched for over two years, looking both for a building plot and for an existing property.
One Friday, at 2:00 pm, we visited a building plot that wasn’t in a densely built-up area, and at 4:00 pm a semi-detached house. Both suited our needs.
That weekend, we decided on the existing property. On Monday, we went through the house again with an expert and then reserved it. It wasn’t exactly inexpensive, and in the end, with renovations (heating system, electrical work, plumbing, terrace extension, etc.), it was by no means cheaper than a new build elsewhere in the city would have been. Despite having an architect, the renovation period was sometimes a nightmare.
BUT: 1.5 km (1 mile) to work, accessible either by tram or walking with the dog through the park. Supermarket 300 m (330 yards), city center 1.6 km (1 mile). The area was built in 1936 and consists of detached and semi-detached houses, so when you’re in the garden you hear a faint roar during peak traffic hours as cars pass by, but otherwise it’s very quiet and you rarely feel like you’re living in the middle of a big city :-) .
For us, this option was still the right choice, and we’re always happy we decided this way.
Sylvia
Dreams, dreams.
We searched for over two years, looking both for a building plot and for an existing property.
One Friday, at 2:00 pm, we visited a building plot that wasn’t in a densely built-up area, and at 4:00 pm a semi-detached house. Both suited our needs.
That weekend, we decided on the existing property. On Monday, we went through the house again with an expert and then reserved it. It wasn’t exactly inexpensive, and in the end, with renovations (heating system, electrical work, plumbing, terrace extension, etc.), it was by no means cheaper than a new build elsewhere in the city would have been. Despite having an architect, the renovation period was sometimes a nightmare.
BUT: 1.5 km (1 mile) to work, accessible either by tram or walking with the dog through the park. Supermarket 300 m (330 yards), city center 1.6 km (1 mile). The area was built in 1936 and consists of detached and semi-detached houses, so when you’re in the garden you hear a faint roar during peak traffic hours as cars pass by, but otherwise it’s very quiet and you rarely feel like you’re living in the middle of a big city :-) .
For us, this option was still the right choice, and we’re always happy we decided this way.
Sylvia
thOmmySU schrieb:
Hello Skaddler, may I ask where you are building? We also work in the Cologne area. Hey, we are building in Weilerswist. Since I work near Rudolfplatz, the Süd train station is easy to reach from there. I guess I understood SU and job ticket correctly then :-)
H
HilfeHilfe12 Jan 2015 09:34I think this decision is too personal. Some people move further away just because of the property (and the price), others because of family and infrastructure.
I also find these conversations at work amusing. A colleague needs about 60 minutes for 8 km (5 miles) as the crow flies, including 4 transfers and waiting times. I need 90 minutes for 75 km (47 miles) one way.
Now I wonder who is more stressed :-)
I also find these conversations at work amusing. A colleague needs about 60 minutes for 8 km (5 miles) as the crow flies, including 4 transfers and waiting times. I need 90 minutes for 75 km (47 miles) one way.
Now I wonder who is more stressed :-)