Tips for moving to a new home in the Lake District

Posted on October 31, 2017 | News, Property

Moving to the Lake District could be the best decision you’ve ever made, as long as you do your homework

People move to the Lake District at different stages of life. Families come to give their children the opportunity to grow up in a very special part of the country, young professionals and entrepreneurs land here because they want a work-life balance that enables them to enjoy the best of town and country, while those approaching retirement long to spend their golden years amid some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain.

With developments in some of the most desirable residential areas in the Lake District, including Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Penrith and Grange-over-Sands, Russell Armer has helped hundreds of people to live in their dream location. But if you’re contemplating a move to a new area, what can you do to make it as smooth and hassle-free as possible?

Pick your area carefully

Before you look for a property, you need to pick an area. It can take time to be familiar enough with an area to know if you’d be 100% happy living there, so, do your research. Check out the area as thoroughly as you can from a distance and set up visits to see for yourself. Decide what’s important – schools, transport, entertainment – and find a town or village that fits the bill. If you love big-city living, you might find an isolated Lakeland hamlet with achingly slow internet connection a challenge. Happily, ultra-fast fibre connections (BARN) are transforming some areas – including Russell Armer’s Arkholme development, The Sheiling.

Consider affordability

Sought-after areas, especially in the Lake District National Park, can be pricey. Think about whether you’d compromise on house size to be in a great location or if you’d rather have a bigger house in a slightly cheaper area. If you’re in the market for a large family home, you’d do well to consider new-build homes, as traditional properties often carry a large premium and don’t always have the contemporary living spaces, gardens or parking that you’ll see in new developments. You may also have to spend money on an old house to modernise, maintain or adapt to your taste.

Imagine living your new life

If you see yourself walking to the shops, taking a short commute to work and enjoying your spare time in lively bars, theatres and community groups, your needs will probably be best served in a town. If, however, you long for solitude, want to spend your days hiking and don’t mind getting the car out when you need a pint of milk, a more rural idyll might suit. Thankfully, there’s plenty of both to be had in the Lakes, so it shouldn’t be too hard to pick your perfect spot.

Think long term

Moving house is expensive. If you can find a home that is versatile enough to suit your needs for several years or more, it makes sense to prioritise that over a more short-term solution. Don’t move into a house you’ll grow out of in a couple of years, instead move somewhere that has space to grow into. If you’re unsure of an area, rent first and see how you feel but don’t let the market move away from you in the meantime. And, if you need to make a speedy move, consider the part-exchange models offered by some developers – they can make the transition less fraught.