diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager.lua
index cb421b78b..77d831e79 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager.lua
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ local PLAYER_SCAN_RADIUS = 4 -- scan radius for looking for nearby players
 local RESETTLE_DISTANCE = 100 -- If a mob is transported this far from home, it gives up bed and job and resettles
 
 local PATHFINDING = "gowp"
+local VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS = tonumber(minetest.settings:get("mcl_mobs_villager_search_radius")) or 20
 
 --[=======[ TRADING ]=======]
 
@@ -793,13 +794,13 @@ local function find_closest_bed (self)
 
 	--local spawnable_bed={}
 	--table.insert(spawnable_bed, "mcl_beds:bed_red_bottom")
-	--local nn = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-48,-48,-48),vector.offset(p,48,48,48), spawnable_bed)
+	--local nn = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS),vector.offset(p,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS), spawnable_bed)
 	--if nn then
 	--	mcl_log("Red beds: " .. #nn)
 	--end
 
 	local unclaimed_beds = {}
-	local nn2 = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-48,-48,-48),vector.offset(p,48,48,48), {"group:bed"})
+	local nn2 = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS),vector.offset(p,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS), {"group:bed"})
 	if nn2 then
 		--mcl_log("All bed parts: " .. #nn2)
 
@@ -878,7 +879,7 @@ local function find_closest_bed (self)
 end
 
 local function find_closest_unclaimed_block (p, requested_block_types)
-	local nn = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-48,-48,-48),vector.offset(p,48,48,48), requested_block_types)
+	local nn = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS),vector.offset(p,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS), requested_block_types)
 
 	local distance_to_closest_block = nil
 	local closest_block = nil
@@ -1372,7 +1373,7 @@ local function go_to_town_bell(self)
 	table.insert(looking_for_type, "mcl_bells:bell")
 
 	local p = self.object:get_pos()
-	local nn = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-48,-48,-48),vector.offset(p,48,48,48), looking_for_type)
+	local nn = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(vector.offset(p,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,-VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS),vector.offset(p,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS,VILLAGER_SEARCH_RADIUS), looking_for_type)
 
 	--Ideally should check for closest available. It'll make pathing easier.
 	for _,n in pairs(nn) do
diff --git a/settingtypes.txt b/settingtypes.txt
index f5743bc1d..f4213c8b6 100644
--- a/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/settingtypes.txt
@@ -214,6 +214,10 @@ mcl_mobs_overworld_threshold (Artificial light threshold to stop monster spawns
 mcl_mobs_overworld_sky_threshold (Skylight threshold to stop monster spawns in the Overworld) int 7 0 14
 mcl_mobs_overworld_passive_threshold  (Combined light threshold to stop animal and npc spawns in the Overworld) int 7 0 14
 
+# How far should villagers search for jobs, beds and bell
+# Larger values will have a larger performance impact (default:20)
+mcl_mobs_villager_search_radius (Villager job/bed/bell search radius) int 10 0 60
+
 [Audio]
 # Enable flame sound.
 flame_sound (Flame sound) bool true