Scenic views, a budget supermarket and good local restaurants are the top priorities when it comes to choosing somewhere to live, new research claims.
Good Move carried out a survey asking British people what were the main things that would attract them to a new area. Of those quizzed in the poll, 44 per cent said they would want picturesque views close to their new home while one in three wanted a nearby walking trail, making locations near the countryside or attractive beauty spots potential property hotspots.
But people also wanted their home to be near convenient amenities like supermarkets, pubs and shops. According to the survey, 39 per cent wanted to live near a discount supermarket like Aldi, Lidl or Iceland, while 32 per cent wanted to be able to buy their groceries at a convenient high-end food store like Waitrose or Marks and Spencer.
Eating out important
Having somewhere to go out to eat or enjoy a sociable drink was also high up on people’s priorities with 37 per cent saying they’d prefer somewhere with restaurants and bars in the vicinity and 36 per cent wanting a traditional pub in easy walking distance.
Living near independent shops was important to 34 per cent of those who took part in the study, while 28 per cent looked for a good coffee shop when picking an area to live.
Being in the catchment area for a good school is often thought to make it easier to sell a property. And while schools did make the top 10, it was eighth on the list being named by 29 per cent of people, although in general women thought it was more important than men.
Meanwhile, one in four UK adults thought it was vital to have a library near their home, suggesting that despite closures all over the UK they are still considered an essential community resource.
Priorities depend on age
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the research found that what people looked for in an area varied depending on their age.
Discount supermarkets were more important to younger people, perhaps as they are more conscious of needing to save money and live on a tight budget. In total 54 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds wanted to live near a superstore brand known for its bargain deals, compared to 34 per cent of over-45s.
Good Move also found that when looking at a new area to move to, Brits checked out how good the public transport links were first. A total of 21 per cent said that the buses, trams or trains were the first thing they researched, while 20 per cent looked into the local schools straight away.
The crime rate of an area was also important and was the first thing considered by 17 per cent of those polled, while 11 per cent prioritised finding out about the broadband speed of a location.
The good news is that once you’ve found your perfect area and selected a home that’s right for you, Andrew Porter Limited can help you move into it with as little stress as possible. Our expert crews work all over the UK and can even help you move to a destination abroad.
