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Relocating from London the need for outside space

Relocating from London the need for outside space

Relocating from London the need for outside space

The COVID-19 lockdown that the whole of the UK experienced earlier this year caused a reassessment of priorities for many people. In conditions where it was not possible to leave your home other than to exercise once a day, those properties with outside space became even more of a luxury. Whether as a result of fears of a future lockdown or the need to review lifestyle choices this has triggered a huge boost in the number of people looking outside of London. One set of figures showed that less than half of London buyers had looked for a property in the city in March this year, compared to 62% the year before.

Relocating from London

The southeast and southwest of England have become major property hot spots as a result of this need to relocate. Multiple surveys have identified that the need for nature and outdoor space is at the heart of this shift in desirable locations. Property values have also had a big impact with buyers looking to get more for their money in more rural locations - especially when it comes to that all important outside space.

Following the herd?

There is definitely a mass movement towards living outside of cities as a result of COVID-19 but many property experts have advised buyers to make sure that this kind of move is right for the long term. An increasing number of parks and green spaces are being created in cities and these have many lifestyle benefits. For anyone considering relocating it's important to know the 'why' behind the move - and how this fits in with long-term life goals. Other tips include:

  • Do plenty of research. Make sure that the area you're moving to really is right for you and your family.
  • Work out the financial side carefully. Property values may be slightly lower in some locations but are there other costs to consider? For example, a more remote location may mean that you need to buy a car or use one you already have more often.
  • Don't underestimate the impact of a longer commute. If your job is not going to be working from home for the foreseeable future then it's important to work out how long your commute is actually likely to be. It might sound like a couple of hours each way on the train a day might be a good way to do more reading or unwind but you may find this eats into work or family time more than you thought it would.
  • Get to know the local area - for now and in the future. If you're hoping this will be your last move for some time then you really need to get to know the area. Everything, from primary and secondary schools through to activities for kids and adults and any communities or groups you might want to join will be important.

Relocating from London to find outside space is something that many people are currently considering - there are benefits to going ahead with a move like this as long as you're well prepared.

07 August 2020Written by Andrew Blythe

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