The village where I used to live was gradually expanding and merging with the other settlements round it. Prices went up and every bit of available land had more houses. However, the amenities didn't keep up so you had to go to the next town for anything.
The village where I live now used to have everything it needed - school, church, shop, pub etc.. now they've all gone and you have to go to the next town for anything. The big difference is that few people build houses here so the village has become stuck in time. A few people come and go so the population is fairly stable.