Got a recent job posting or just planning to move to a small city for serene life? Wondering whether moving to a small town is a good idea or not? Well, no matter what the reason behind your relocation is, we will try to answer it in this blog with our compilation of some of the best pros and cons of relocating to a small city in Pakistan.
Relocating to a small town or city from a bigger one involves several stages and challenges. The transition from a big city to a small town might not be as convenient as it may sound. Firstly, small towns do not have the same happening life as the big cities. Secondly, from commute to everyday routine, everything in a small city is different – that could also be a huge buzzkill for some.
On the other hand, moving to small cities doesn’t have to be a bad experience overall. As such, small cities have a unique, personal appeal, which is different, and even the biggest megalopolises of the country cannot provide that homely feel.
The idea for this blog came to us when we were covering the costs of moving furniture between different cities in Pakistan, where we briefly mentioned that the process of relocating between different cities is exhilarating.
So, without further ado, let’s get relocating!
Pros and Cons of Relocating to a Small City in Pakistan
If you are a big city person, you may find it a little tough to adjust to a town situated in the countryside. We know one thing for sure that moving to a small town from a metropolitan city gives you a cultural shock, but it only lasts for a couple of months until you get adjusted with the relaxed pace of life. Relocating to a small town is both exciting and challenging, and it mainly depends on how rapidly you cope up with the changes and adjust to them.
That said, here are some pros and cons of relocating to a small city in Pakistan:
- Quality and Cost of Living
- Education and Health
- Real Estate Spectrum
- Employment Opportunities
- Infrastructure and Facilities
- Privacy and Recreational Activities
- Community Living
Before we begin, we would like to inform you that we have already revealed the secrets behind a stress-free move, so if you need help with it, navigate to our recently published blog now.
We will now pick from where we left off and take an in-depth look at each point mentioned above.
Quality and Cost of Living
When we are talking about the pros and cons of relocating to a small city in Pakistan, we cannot begin without taking a look from finance’s perspective. No matter if you are moving to a small city willingly or due to a job posting, you will be glad to know that smaller cities generally offer a better quality of life at lower costs.
To begin with, we know for a fact that everyday commodities are cheaper and more affordable in small cities and towns. This means that household essentials, groceries, school and tuition fees, professional services, and other essentials of life tend to be available at much lower rates than big cities. It ultimately affects the overall cost of living, giving you a little more to save and lead a less stressful life.
Secondly, crime rates in most small towns in Pakistan are generally lower than in big cities. This clearly indicates that you wouldn’t be worried about your safety every time you head out of your house. Your family members will have a happier and positive life. The same goes for pollution, and you’ll get to breathe cleaner air.
Education and Health
The availability of educational institutions and emergency facilities are two of the most important concerns of people with families. As such, there won’t be much convenience as you are used to in the city. There might not be a shopping mall or supermarket around every corner, so you might have to cover extra miles to get a few things done. There may not be a restaurant or pizzeria operating after midnight to satisfy your cravings.
It also mainly depends on the type of area you are relocating to. For instance, if you are relocating to any of the localities of Hyderabad from anywhere in Karachi, you will not need to worry. Hyderabad is more or less like the city of lights in terms of development and infrastructure. The only thing that sets these two cities apart is the population and pace of development. Moreover, these two cities are connected by the Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, so availing services in Karachi isn’t much of a hassle for residents of Hyderabad.
The scenario wouldn’t be the same if you are moving to the Hill Stations of Murree from the neighbourhoods of Islamabad. Since Murree is situated at a much steeper location and has less number of quality schools and preventative facilities, it gets a little tough to shuttle between both cities. Comparatively, if you relocate to any of the areas of Rawalpindi, you can easily avail the services in Islamabad [if need be].
Real Estate Spectrum
Real estate in small cities and towns of Pakistan is entirely different from the bigger cities. You will find variety in housing schemes, and you will notice a whole new pattern in the buyer’s market. The price bar is also completely different. As such, if you buy a 120 sq yd plot in Karachi’s Bahria Town, you will need an average investment of PKR 20 lakh. Comparatively, Nawabshah’s Bahria Town is offering the same sized plot of 120 sq yd for PKR 16 lakh, on average.
For further assistance, you can take a look at the different communities of Pakistan and decide for yourself. Just visit the Zameen Area Guides section on our website and enter your desired area.
Employment Opportunities
If you are not relocating due to a job posting, you must be aware of the fact that economic activities in small cities are exceptionally different from metropolitan cities. As such, there are fewer businesses operating within the city – enough to meet the needs of the population. Do not get surprised if you have to face unemployment for a long time since small cities have fewer job openings available.
Not only will finding a job be a difficult task, but you will also have narrow options available at your end. You may have to travel to a nearby town or city to find something of your likening. There are two ways to curve this situation: you can either opt for freelancing or search through the job option before you relocate.
However, if we see it from the perspective of a big fish in a small pond, you will have less competition for jobs and more opportunities to prove your worth. You can easily stand out in your desired profession in a way that isn’t possible in a bigger city.
Infrastructure and Facilities
Services in small cities are usually limited and offer lesser reliability in comparison with big cities. It is mainly due to infrastructure and other developments. As such, a slow internet connection and power outages during rainy days isn’t a new thing for the locals of small cities.
Similarly, small cities have limited professional services. So, if you need a professional [such as plumber or electrician] to fix something for you, you may have to wait for days.
Privacy and Recreational Activities
Life in a small city or town might seem boring or dull. As you might not be able to find the thrill that big cities have to offer. You will have to live without the constant buzz and robust dynamics of city life. It also means that you will have more time at your end for yourself and your family members – you might have to give up on visiting malls every weekend, but you will have something worth replacing it with.
That said, recreational activities in small cities and towns are usually reserved for communal activities, which might lead to a lack of privacy as well. It also leads us to another perk of living in a small city i.e., community living.
Community Living
One of the biggest benefits of moving to a small town is that people treat the whole community as a small family. Depending on the size and population of the town and city you are relocating to, people generally live in communities in a small town and are kind and friendly to each other. They are always ready to offer a helping hand in need, and they tend to be more caring about their neighbours. You will receive an invitation to every local event, and you will be more active socially.
At this point, people realise how much their fast-paced lives have turned around, and they are leading a happier, healthier, steadier, and stable life.
This concludes our post on the pros and cons of relocating to a small city or town in Pakistan. Before signing off, we would like to tell you that for every con of moving to a new place, we have mentioned the brighter side of the picture as well. Now, the decision of whether or not it is a good idea to move to a small city is completely yours to make.
Do you also move around a lot? How is your experience? Share your experience with us at blog@zameen.com. For more tips on moving and shifting homes, keep visiting Zameen Blog – Pakistan’s most trusted portal for everything real estate.
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