The rise of suburban living

It is no secret that urban, suburban and country homes can offer very different living experiences – differences which have only been exaggerated by Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown restrictions.

Connectivity, space, cost of living and commutability are all considerations which have been brought to the fore recently along with the greater value placed on lifestyle as people reassess their priorities.

Amid changing buyer preferences, we are seeing a rise in demand for well-proportioned family homes in suburban locations – those mixed-use residential areas which exist either as part of a city or as a separate community within commuting distance – where prime values saw a 4.0 per cent annual rise, according to Savills Residential Research, led by areas within easy reach of the capital.

Suburbs offer residents proximity to the culture, diversity and entertainment synonymous with city living in semi-rural locations which often have good access to the surrounding countryside and communal green spaces. Some might argue, the best of both worlds.

Take Bath, for example. Here large family homes with good access to outside space are increasingly sought after, especially on the fringes of the city where there has been strong interest from buyers who want to be near local amenities and the sense of community they can provide. Lansdown, on the northern tip of Bath, is close to the city but set in the countryside for which North East Somerset is well known.

Similarly, Thorpe Hamlet outside Norwich, always popular with easy city centre access and a pretty river green in neighbouring Thorpe St Andrew, is attracting more interest.

On the outskirts of Manchester areas such as semi-rural Whitefield are experiencing significant demand for family homes, while in Birmingham the suburb of Edgbaston is notably of interest to professionals attracted to larger properties that include space for a gym and home office. Solihull and Dorridge, both of which have large parks and well-regarded schools, also continue to be sought after.

The rise in interest in suburban living is seemingly being fuelled by a desire for functional, enjoyable and balanced residential spaces as people continue to discover – or rediscover – the joys of home.

Here is a selection of what’s on offer.