Why More People Are Choosing Smaller Towns Over Cities

By Dulicht Homes on

Why are more people moving away from cities? From outdoor space and community to modern living and work-life balance, smaller towns are becoming increasingly appealing.

Why More People Are Choosing Smaller Towns Over Cities

For years, bigger cities were seen as the default place to build a career and a life. More jobs, more convenience, more opportunities, more going on.

But over the last few years, many people have started rethinking what they actually want from where they live.

The shift towards remote and hybrid working has changed how people think about location. Instead of asking, “How close am I to the office?”, people are increasingly asking different questions:

For many buyers, smaller towns are beginning to offer a much more appealing answer.

More Space — Inside and Out

One of the biggest reasons people move away from cities is simple: space.

In many urban areas, homes have become increasingly compact, outdoor space can be limited, and everyday life often feels crowded. By contrast, smaller towns can offer:

That extra space changes how a home feels to live in. Rooms become more flexible, home working becomes easier, and everyday life can feel less restricted.

A Better Balance

Many people are no longer looking for constant activity every day. Instead, they are looking for balance.

That does not mean giving up convenience or modern living. It means wanting:

Places such as Grantown-on-Spey offer a different rhythm of life. There is still community, local businesses, cafés, schools, and activities — but often without the same level of pressure and noise that comes with larger urban areas.

For many people, that balance becomes one of the biggest improvements to everyday life.

Remote Working Has Changed the Equation

A major reason this shift is happening is because work itself has changed.

With remote and hybrid working becoming more common, many people no longer need to live within a short commute of a city centre every day. As broadband and digital infrastructure improve, smaller towns become far more practical for modern working life.

This allows buyers to prioritise different things:

rather than simply proximity to an office.

Community Still Matters

One thing many buyers mention after moving to smaller towns is the stronger sense of community.

People often value:

That sense of belonging can be harder to find in larger places where life often moves more quickly and anonymously.

Nature Becomes Part of Everyday Life

In smaller Highland towns, outdoor space is not something you need to drive hours to reach.

Walks, woodland, rivers, cycling routes, and open landscapes become part of normal life rather than something reserved for weekends away.

For many people, that regular connection to outdoor space improves:

in ways they did not fully expect beforehand.

It Is Not About “Escaping”

One misconception is that moving to a smaller town means stepping away from modern life.

For most people, it is not about escaping. It is about choosing a different version of modern living — one that feels more spacious, grounded, and sustainable long term.

Modern homes, strong connectivity, energy efficiency, and thoughtful design mean smaller towns can offer both practicality and quality of life together.

A Different Kind of Opportunity

Smaller towns are not the right fit for everyone, and that is part of what makes them appealing to those who do choose them.

But for buyers looking for:

the appeal is becoming increasingly clear.

At Dulicht Homes, we believe where you live should support the kind of life you want to build — not just where you happen to work.

Explore modern Highland living at Dulicht Court in Grantown-on-Spey:

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Visit our development page to learn more about Dulicht Court and your next home in the Highlands.

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