Houses in Britain

Choosing where to live

 Towns and cities in Britain have grown a lot in size
over the last two centuries.

 The oldest houses are usually those closest to the

town center.

 Many people live in the suburbs, areas on the edge

of a town.

 Some suburbs consist of new housing estates,

while others were originally villages that have
become joined to the town as it has grown.
 Some people prefer to live in a village
 Villages are considered to be pleasant places to live.

 Quieter and less polluted than towns

 Closer to the countryside

 Containing a range of houses, including old cottages and

new houses and bungalows.
 Many British people buy a house rather than renting one.

 Young people and those who cannot afford to buy a house live in rented accommodation.

o Some rent a furnished bedsit (or bedsitting room), a combined bedroom and sitting
room, and share washing and cooking facilities.

o Others rent a flat or house, often sharing the cost with friends.

 Houses are bought and sold through estate agents. Few people
can afford to buy a house outright, so they have to take out a
mortgage with a bank or building society.
 Some of the best places to live
in Britain

Stroud Cotswolds town North Berwick

Teddington Holywood Woodbridge

 Space for living
The amount of living space has implications for the energy required to heat (or cool) the space and the
number and size of appliances that can fit into the dwelling.

 Houses in Britain often seem small for the number

of people living in them.

 In some cities, house prices are very high so

people cannot afford to move to a large house as
the size of their family increases.
  In many families with more than two children, some of the
children have to share a bedroom and only get a room of
their own when an older brother or sister leaves home.

 Very often all the family shares one bathroom.

 In many houses, there is only one living room plus a kitchen

with a dining area.

 Some houses have two small living rooms.

 In order to overcome the problem of lack of space, some people

have a lot conversion to make a new bedroom in the roof space.
Others and an extra room or bathroom downstairs.