A pleasing vision of pastoral living, along with glossy brochures of model homes, have convinced many families to move to distant suburbs, where they can afford a newer, larger place than they could buy closer in.
Yet between ideal and real often falls a shadow. Soon, a daily commute of two hours or longer becomes a grind, and both spouses attempt a U-turn back to a closer neighborhood. They realize that their chronic shortage of time makes their commute too high a price to pay.
This scenario is not unusual among home buyers who make a radical housing shift without adequate forethought. Unfortunately, those who move to a faraway suburb may have difficulty reversing their decision. “They try to get back but could get stuck out there,” says Virginia M. Murray, a Coldwell Banker broker-associate. She contends that many homes far from employment hubs are less marketable than before, due to growing intolerance for long commutes.
A prospective home purchaser planning a radical shift in housing should consider the implications carefully, advises Leo Berard, charter president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. “Ideally, you’ll give yourself a trial period to simulate the new living environment.”
Here are six pointers for those considering a major housing change:
– Do primary research first. Are you contemplating a move from a detached home to a condo-apartment?
Then look before you leap, because 20 percent of those who try such a transition don’t like it, Berard estimates. Living in a condo-apartment liberates you from yard work and other exterior maintenance, but some adapt poorly to high-density living. They don’t relish the aroma of dinner cooking in an adjacent unit, or hearing strangers’ footsteps over them.
How can you anticipate whether you’d like life in a condo? Berard suggests you discuss its pros and cons with others who live in such a place.
– Try it on. Try a new mode of living before you commit to it. When selecting a suit, isn’t it helpful to visit the store’s fitting room to assess size and appearance? So why not “try on” your new living environment prior to deciding? There are several ways to do this. “Stay overnight with friends who already live where you’re thinking of moving,” suggests Murray, the Coldwell Banker broker-associate.
Alternatively, stay in a nearby hotel or bed and breakfast. You’d be surprised at what you could discover. For instance, some who try out rural living find the slow pace and tranquility unnerving, Berard says.
While visiting a potential neighborhood, chat with local residents, storekeepers and others about the positives and negatives of the area. Remember to ask about access to the amenities you consider important, such as high-quality schools and religious institutions.
– Look back to look forward. Defining what you like–or loathe–about your current situation can be telling. By itemizing the pros and cons of your present housing arrangement, you can see which features have special meaning to you.
Are you a gourmet cook or aspire to become one? Then a large, high-tech kitchen could be very important. Likewise, if you enjoy gardening, your list will make it clear you should keep that in mind in choosing your next abode. “You want to carry those things that you really like over to the other end,” Berard says.
– Step by step. Think seriously about stairs or their absence. “Stairs are a vital matter,” Berard says. Most seniors don’t have difficulty using stairs until they reach their late 70s or 80s. At that point, one-floor living could become a necessity.
At any age, the decision as to whether to live on one or two levels could be a matter of strong personal preference. Living in a ranch-style house is more efficient on an everyday basis, especially when it comes to cleaning. Yet some people cherish the privacy of having their sleeping area separate from the other sections of the home.
– Public access. Consider your everyday commuting requirements.
Perhaps you find life too time-compressed to accept a long ride to work on congested roadways. Then mass transit may be the answer-whether by rail or bus. “A lot of people now want to be near public transportation. Commuting is a very important component. People are opting for a better quality of life with a more reasonable commute,” says Murray, of Coldwell Banker.
– Take your time. Wait to take a leap of faith until after a life-changing event.
Have you recently lost your spouse through death or separation? Or have you gone through a financial setback? Then, ideally you’ll wait until your new life takes shape before you make a major housing shift, especially if you’re involved in a divorce and can wait, Murray says.
“It’s best to wait two years after a change in your marital status, to sort out your financial situation. You don’t want to make a decision in the middle of your emotional throes,” says Murray.
