Oaks Hamlet - an ENVIRON community

where the grass really is greener ...

Last night it happened again. I had to trundle shamefacedly downstairs to rescue my suicidal herbs who had flung themselves, pots and all, two stories down into our neighbours' garden. Life in a top floor London flat isn't easy for someone who dreams of a country home, aspires to have a patch of grass they can call their very own and, of course, fantasises over a well stocked herb garden on terra firma.

And it appears I am not alone in my fanciful daydreams of a luxury,home in the country; latest reports show that 1 in 3 city dwellers are longing to escape the stresses of city life for a country home.

Finding a country home can enhance life in many ways; friendlier people, a strong sense of community and a safe place to bring up children are all cited as top reasons why people move to village homes.

In a recent survey conducted by NFU Mutual city dwellers who had relocated to country homes in village communities found there was a wealth of personal, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits. Large numbers of those surveyed had embraced their life in the country wholeheartedly, getting involved in their community, joining local teams and clubs and supporting local businesses (such as the village pub!). So for those rurally frustrated urbanites living cheek-to-cheek in overcrowded cities, here are some top tips to make the dream of buying a country home become a reality.

The key is to get the right balance of country living whilst remaining part of a community. Village homes offer a pleasant mix of semi-rural living and good local facilities. Everyday practicalities such as access to schools, transport links, shops, a post office and pubs should not be overlooked in favour of complete seclusion in an oh-so-appealing impractical, isolated idyll!

So now we have an even more polished picture of our new country home lifestyle, how do we go about finding these dream village properties with all the necessary amenities for our soon-to-be-ex-city-dwellers? One of the world's leading property agents, CB Richard Ellis, has just published the results of their latest report on new villages. An in-depth survey analysed non-urban new villages of 1,000 homes or more to find the best country homes across the UK. CBRE considered at all the important factors such as village design, space for amenities, transport links, car parking and community provision.

The properties at Kings Hill near West Malling in Kent scored highest overall, receiving special commendations for meeting the diverse requirements of residents and creating a clear sense of community pride. The properties of Kings Hill are set in 800 acres on the site of a famous former airfield. It is now home to around 6,000 residents who enjoy being part of a thriving community with its own community centre and parish council. There is a championship golf course, a cricket green, a David Lloyd Leisure Centre, a Country Park, schools, nurseries and a village centre with shops and restaurants as well as a surgery, vets and opticians. In short, everything you could want from a new lifestyle in a country home.

So is the grass really greener in a country home? For once, the wise saying is true, but don't just take my word for it, up sticks and try living in a country Kings Hill property for yourself. I assure you the only reason you'll look back is to laugh at me still trying to cultivate my London windowsills!