No matter what you consider in life, where you can find advantages for doing something, you can usually find disadvantages too. This is why it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of living near family before you commit to moving home.
Pros of living near family includes seeing family more regularly and having a support network for things like babysitting, looking after pets, DIY help and emotional support. But the cons include the cost of having to move, the possibility of having to change jobs and you may be taken for granted.
A Support network: One of the best things about living near family is having a support network around you. This is especially important if you are going through some tough times, like divorce or a serious illness like cancer.
Free babysitters for children: Having babysitters you can trust and who know your children is a real bonus. It means you can have a social life and get to see your friends, whilst at the same time your parents get to spend time with their grand children.
Holidays and vacations: If your family live close at hand you have more chance to get away on holiday without the kids. Your parents can more easily look after your children whilst they continue at school without any disruption.
Free pet sitting: If you have pets it’s expensive to put them into kennels or catteries when you go on holiday, whereas family help is free. House sitters, kennels or catteries often need to be arranged well in advance, whereas family help is normally easier to arrange. But don’t take advantage of your family members.
More time with family: Living near family means you can spend more time with them, which is important for close-knit families.
More time with grand children: As grandparents you want to see as much of your grandchildren as you can. It is also very important for children to spend time with grandparents too. I’ll never forget the time my grandad spent teaching me things.
Family parties: Living near family means it will be far easier to organise family parties, like birthdays or anniversaries.
Birthdays and important dates are easier to keep: Seeing your family on their birthday is far easier if you live nearby. Plus you can deliver their presents in person. It also means that if you forget to buy a card or present until the last minute, you can take it to their house rather than it arriving late in the post.
Saves on travel time and cost: Living near family means no more long distance trips to visit them. Some families live across water, for example crossing over the Atlantic Ocean between the UK and America, and means flying is the only way to see them.
Nearby help: Moving near family means you have someone living nearby who can help you. This may include help with DIY projects, help with a broken down car, or help taking you to hospital or help with other family emergencies.
Back to familiarity: If moving to live near family means moving back to where you grew up, you’ll be back to familiarity and friends you grew up with.
Spontaneity: If your family appreciates spontaneity, you can surprise them by turning up at their doorstep, which I admit is something I love.
Great for single parents: Single parents can always use as much help as possible. This might be so you get your own life back and begin dating again, as you’ll have your family to babysit so you can go out.
Support for aging parents: If you have elderly parents who need support, by living nearby you can help them with shopping and help them around the house.
What are the cons of living near family
Life may be disrupted: Moving is always disruptive and it will mean starting again, and if you move a long distance it might mean having to make new friends.
Family may take advantage: If you live close to family, they may take advantage of the situation. It’s important you lay down boundaries at the outset to avoid being taken for granted if you move to live near your family.
Your life may get interrupted: Moving to another area may mean your life and work balance is disrupted.
Your moving options become restricted: If you move to be near family, your choices of where to buy become more limited.
Cost of moving: Moving home is expensive, as you’ll have legal fees buying and selling property, estate agent fees, plus purchase costs including Stamp Duty to buy your new home. That’s not to mention the cost of moving your furniture.
Surprise visits: You may not like spontaneity and surprise visits. Surprise visits are more likely if you live near family.
Increased sense of obligation: If you live near family, you may feel obliged to take part in family events and visit family more often than if you live far away.
Arguments and conflicts: If you move to be closer to one set of parents, this may mean you move further away from another set of parents, which can lead to arguments. Also, if one or other of you don’t get on with a family member, this could mean more conflict. But on a positive note, by moving house to live near family may provide the perfect opportunity to resolve any family problems.
Change of jobs: Moving to be near family may mean a change of jobs, especially if the move means you’ll be too far from your current employer.
Moving away from friends: By moving close to family could mean you move away from your friends network. This can be a difficult decision when deciding between staying near friends vs moving to live near family.
Moving away from a place you love: Moving to be near your family might mean moving away from a place you love, which is another dilemma to consider. Do you choose; living in a place you love vs living near family?
Is it good to live close to family?
Living close to family means you can visit your family more often without needing to travel long distances. Having your family close by means you’ll have support in an emergency, you’ll have someone to babysit your children and to look after pets, and you’ll have someone to support you emotionally.
Is it good to live close to parents?
It’s good to live near parents, especially if you have children, as they get to see their grandparents more regularly, which is an important part of growing up. Studies show that for kids growing up and seeing more of their grandparents is good for their physical health, improved language skills, and a stronger moral compass.
Will you regret moving closer to family?
There is a small chance you will regret moving closer to family, but it’s unlikely as having family close by means you have a support network to help with babysitting and pet care.
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Article written by Russell Bowyer who has been investing in property since purchasing his first commercial property in the 1990's for his own Chartered Accountancy business. But his first property investment project was to turn an old dilapidated restaurant into a large 5-bed home, which he purchased for £117,500 and sold for £450,000 (to see an "after" photo of the house before it was sold see here: About). Russell owns a number of investment properties, which includes houses, flats and HMO's. More recently he has turned his creative side to investing in property using lease options. His largest lease option deal to date was to acquire 12 properties worth over £2 million for just £12, which means he paid just £1 to acquire each property!
