City, countryside or coast? A guide for those buying in East Anglia

The United Kingdom has so much beauty to behold. From city to country to coast, there’s a lot to love, leaving first time buyers and home movers spoilt for choice when searching for their first or next digs. The region of East Anglia has it all, with the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire boasting some of the most bustling spots, most beautiful rural idylls and most charming coastal gems.

With the Bank of England base rate falling even further according to recent news, deciding whether city, countryside or coast is the perfect place to settle is becoming even more of a priority as people look to take advantage of improving market conditions.

To help you on your way, we’re here to share what’s great about the cities, villages and coastal hotspots of East Anglia…

City

With the cities of Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough calling East Anglia their home, as well as a number of large and county towns (including Ipswich, Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds), the region is the perfect place to settle if you like the hustle and bustle, or something in between. While city living isn’t for everyone, it does have its perks, especially if you are a bit of a social butterfly as David Wilson Homes explains:

“Cities are full of different communities and represent a chance to live amongst people, ideas and cultures from all over the world. If you love film, art, sport, theatre and museums you’ll likely be spoilt for choice. You’ll also find great bars, restaurants and enough retail experiences to satisfy even the most avid shopper. You’re also more likely to live close to services such as hospitals, GP surgery and universities.”

The higher cost of living, increased noise and air pollution, and more crowded conditions are often the trade-off for better and more accessible entertainment and amenities.

Countryside

Living rurally offers a different kind of community, that is often closer knit, which will be appreciated by people at certain stages of their lives. Those retiring or looking to raise a family find country villages and towns provide an especially positive experience. The peaceful surroundings can be relished by all, with everyone seeking a connection with the great outdoors in some capacity.

While the popularity of the countryside means only a slightly lower cost of living than residing in a centrally based location, you’ll often find larger properties with more outdoor space in the country. Cleaner air quality and less noise pollution can pave the way to a healthier and less stressful life too.

Less access to amenities and services, limited public transport and longer commutes may however be a shock for those used to city living. With beautiful villages like Castle Acre, Hingham, Cavendish, Buckden and Grantchester just some of the rural idylls to explore in East Anglia, finding a balance of amenities that works for you really is possible.

Coast

Thanks to their fantastic location on the sea, the East Anglian counties of Norfolk and Suffolk offer so many wonderful seaside towns and villages to fall in love with. Whether it’s the local seafood, the outdoorsy lifestyle, the wildlife, or simply the magnificent views that attract you to coastal living, you’ll find it all along the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts.

With its scenic beauty, tranquillity and remoteness, life by the sea offers similar perks and challenges to living in the country. You’ll find an assortment of towns and villages to explore along the coast, from family friendly resorts with all the trimmings of a traditional seaside holiday to smaller spots that are better known for their riverside walks, country pubs and quirky architecture.

Aldeburgh, Bawdsey, Felixstowe, Caister-on-Sea, Brancaster Staithe and Burnham Overy Staithe should certainly feature on your hit list of coastal search areas.

Whether you’re going for the city, country or coast, great mortgage advice is what you’ll need to proceed in your property buying journey. Get in touch with our team today for support.