Urban Location

Wherever you are looking to rent a property, flats and houses in urban locations tend to be more expensive than those in suburban areas. The further away you are prepared to live from the city centre and popular amenities such as schools and shopping centres, the less you can expect to pay on rent. Often people are prepared to pay higher rental costs to ensure that they are close to the city centre, where bars, restaurants, clubs, cinemas and jobs are all nearby. However, this does not mean that all property situated in the countryside is more affordable; the UK countryside is becoming a more and more popular area as urban property prices become too expensive. People are also prepared to pay more money than they would in the city if they are able to afford a larger property, perhaps with a garden, and a quieter, slower way of life.

As a rule, urban locations will offer smaller properties at a higher price, whilst rural areas will have larger properties to rent for lower prices. However, the proximity and accessibility of schools, hospitals, shops, recreational facilities, places of worship and transport links to nearby towns or cities will all play a role in deciding the rental price of a property. It is worth considering whether you would be prepared to live slightly further away from the city centre, in order to pay less for where you are living. The suburbs (the suburban area on the outskirts of a town or city) usually offer a good compromise for property hunters.

For example, the average cost of a one bedroom flat varies dramatically depending on how close it is to a major city:

• London - £2,200 per month
• Woking (fifty kilometres from London) - £750 per month
• Ashford (ninety kilometres from London) - £540 per month
  
• Birmingham - £630 per month
• Solihull (fifteen kilometres from Birmingham) - £515 per month
• Shrewsbury (eighty kilometres from Birmingham) - £425 per month

Ask at a local letting agency for information on the popular places to live, average costs and available services. There may be suburbs which are trendy but more expensive than other areas which would offer you the same services.