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We still like to buy beside the seaside

7:48am Thursday 14th June 2007

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Brighton and Hove has been named as the most desirable place in the UK for people looking to buy a new home.

Although the Albion might have stuttered to a mid-table finish last season, the city itself is in pole position for attracting homebuyers.

Each month a league table of towns is published based on the 'Moving Location Index', complied by the UK Property Shop.

Brighton and Hove topped the league for May, beating Newquay and Weymouth to take the crown.

The figures suggest Brits still love to buy beside the seaside, as eight out of the top dozen locations are coastal resorts, including Eastbourne in 12th place.

Brighton features regularly in the league table and was last voted top in May last year. Reasons given for its popularity include the city combining the benefits of a Regency beach resort, strong on culture and entertainment, with proximity to London for those seeking "city living by the sea".

The news has come as no surprise to civic leaders and estate agents alike in the city.

Adam Spencer, senior negotiator at the city's Mishon Mackay estate agent, said: "Brighton and Hove is consistently popular with people looking to relocate.

"The city has so much going for it and it is not hard to see why people want to move here. As well as a bustling city life you are only a short drive away from the downs or a quiet Sussex village, so it's the best of both worlds really.

"The market has levelled out a bit at the moment and prices have steadied, but Brighton is really still a seller's market."

City Councillor Georgia Wrighton said: "It doesn't surprise me at all. This is a city which has a lot going for it and attracts people from far and wide.

"The quality of life factor comes into play and I think people see Brighton and Hove as just a really nice place to live. I suppose it is also no coincidence that Brighton has been named top just as the summer approaches."

Appearing as a regular monthly report, 'Moving Location Index' details the top 50 most popular locations for people buying a home. The index is based on data from people using the company website, www.ukpropertyshop.co.uk, to contact estate agents.

UK Property Shop spokesman Guy Burgess said: "Our service is aimed at anyone who is interested in the residential property market - house buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and estate agents. The Moving Location Index is a reflection of people's aspirations to relocate and capitalise on their property investment, or who simply wish to achieve a high standard of living in a popular area such as Brighton."

Have you recently moved to Sussex from outside the county? What is life like here compared to where you moved from? Leave your comments below.

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Ben Martin, Brighon says...
9:09am Thu 14 Jun 07

The article says;

''Although the Albion might have stuttered to a mid-table finish last season, the city itself is in pole position for attracting homebuyers.''

18th?
Midtable?

LOL

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SpongeBob, Somewhere beyond the sea says...
9:40am Thu 14 Jun 07

Brighton & Hove - desirable??! If people love gridlocked roads on any sunny weekend, no on street parking, litter strewn streets, shouty boozy people, stag & hen parties galore, tramps, beggars, sky high car parking fees then they must need their heads testing!

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Alex, Brighton says...
9:46am Thu 14 Jun 07

Yes we know its desirable and people are flocking here. All this demand is pricing us out of the market and pushing the cost of living up.

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graham, bton says...
10:14am Thu 14 Jun 07

....well said Alex. Not to mention worsening the gridlock by pulling more people into the tardis.

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chas, 5 ways says...
11:15am Thu 14 Jun 07

stop whinging - enjoy the breeze...

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Gary Hove, Hove says...
12:11pm Thu 14 Jun 07

Hopefully there is going to be legislation preventing all new builds becoming second homes. Considering the amount of housing planned for the city, interest rates going up, and the determination of people on here to move out, there may be more opportunities for first time buyers in the near future.

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Alex, Brighton says...
12:52pm Thu 14 Jun 07

Gary Hove wrote:
Hopefully there is going to be legislation preventing all new builds becoming second homes. Considering the amount of housing planned for the city, interest rates going up, and the determination of people on here to move out, there may be more opportunities for first time buyers in the near future.
I hope so gary, I love this city its my home and I dont want to move away, just need the ladder to be a bit lower!

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Tony Carr, Sompting says...
1:11pm Thu 14 Jun 07

Personally I'm glad I moved out. Now I couldn't afford to move back even I wanted to

Then again, I'm far too old to believe that the place is wonderful just because Paul MacCartney and Fatboy Slim live there

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Martin, Brighton says...
1:13pm Thu 14 Jun 07

It's all very well if you're young (i.e. below 20), if you like noise, dirt, inconsiderate students partying well into weekday mornings, people playing their music outdoors because they think they're the only ones about, drug use and abuse, rubbish strewn everywhere, grotty building facades and awful, awful streets (I mean, has anyone been down Providence Place and stood outside the massage parlour and looked up at the dreadful urine smelling car park and the extraordinarily ugly New England House?). But for I'm not under 20, I'm not a student, I don't do drugs, don't let my rubbish cover the streets, don't inflict my music on others, do care about disturbing my neighbours, do care about the beauty of where I live - well then, I guess Brighton's not really for me any more.

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James, T.Wells says...
2:14pm Thu 14 Jun 07

I grew up in Brighton and was gutted to move away to T.Wells where I now own a property. The thing is its too expensive to buy there now and alot of people looking to get on the property ladder will have to move away. Thankfully Im only 40mins away so i still see Brighton as much as poss.

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Gary, Hove says...
2:36pm Thu 14 Jun 07

What gets me is often it is the same people that moan about new developments that moan about housing!
Over 4,000 new houses will be built at projects like the marina, king alfred, preston barracks, circus street, black rock and brighton station. If we make sure these houses go to those who need them most(not monied property speculators) then there should be a chance.
Also, the MOAT scheme gives first time buyers a chance for shared ownership EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT A KEY WORKER. All you have to be is a resident and have a household income of under 60K.

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graham, portslade says...
3:59pm Thu 14 Jun 07

Gary, if only.
There's a number of shared ownership flats been built in portslade recently. I thought they would go to local people, but on a visit to London i picked up a local paper, and there was the housing assocations advertising those very same flats under the heading of 'come to live in Portslade by sea, only 3 miles from bton'.
In realility theres as much chance of those King alfred etc flats going to local people as brian oxley going to watch Pride!

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Gary, Hove says...
4:03pm Thu 14 Jun 07

How frustrating Graham!
Whilst I may be being naive at the moment I truly believe there will be Govt intervention along these lines in the near future. Otherwise I will be building a shed in Wild Park!

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Petra, Surrey says...
7:05pm Thu 14 Jun 07

I have recently been looking to move to Brighton. I want to sell up and relocate not seek a second home.

I have to say that the greed of the estate agents is shocking. They are encouraging bidding wars on houses that really are not worth the asking price. For example; asking prices of £300k plus for 2/3 bedroom victorian houses (albeit in a nice area in Hove) that have not been updated in years and sold last year for £50k or so less!

Unfortunately, it would seem either City money or those that have managed to secure an obsencely high mortgage (they will be panicking at the end of their fixed rates)are the only ones that can afford to buy in the area.

Don't just criticise those that will pay over the top as locals are clearly cashing in on the greed also.

When the collapse comes, I wish them luck. I will have to put my move on hold now as I wont mortgage myself up to the eyeballs as tempting as it may be.

I never thought I would see the day that buying a property in Brighton would cost more than London and its borders.

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Paul, worthing says...
7:19pm Thu 14 Jun 07

i think i'll remortgage my Worthing buy to let to fund one in Brighton, can't really fail with the way property is rising

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Ben Martin, Brighton says...
8:54am Fri 15 Jun 07

Brighton is great.
Even the so called 'problem' estate Whitehawk is a charming village compared to somewhere like Peckham.

But 18th isnt midtable.

:-)

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Jazz, Brighton says...
11:31am Fri 15 Jun 07

As another 'rare' Brightonian, I have to say that things are fast becoming 'ghetto' like in Brighton. All those native 'even though working full-time' are being pushed out to the suburbs where they may be lucky to buy a property the size of a shed. I find it sad that 'tourism, studentism (a new word?) and development' seem to be at the forefront of the authorities priorities. All this while 'community & Family' goes to hell in a handbag. It is a great place to live and I always love to sit and watch life go by and this reminds me of the bohemian nature of Brighton. But, I resent the way it is chipping away at the decent 'average' folks and causing constant worry for those just trying to create a better life for themselves and their families. I agree with Graham - a recent development near to me was supposed to be keyworker/and a small percentage social housing for locals in need. Upon investigation (speaking to new residents) it appears they have all been relocated from London areas (some with serious issues) Though Graham - I wouldn't bank on building your shed in Wild Park - the council will probably do what it did to Stanmer - let it slide into disrepair then sell to build posh homes that no everyday bod could afford so others may pretend to be lord of the manor...Just Waiting for the day that we must pay to enter our own public spaces now...

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Gary, Hove says...
1:03pm Fri 15 Jun 07

We also have to put a value on the location and quality of life in Brighton & Hove. In how many cities can you sit on a beach, have a great meal and go round loads of independant shops in an afternoon? I for one think this web site seriously misrepresents the general consensus of residents. Otherwise there would be no housing problem as everyone would be moving away (at a nice profit).



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Mark, London says...
3:09pm Fri 15 Jun 07

Ben Martin wrote:
The article says; ''Although the Albion might have stuttered to a mid-table finish last season, the city itself is in pole position for attracting homebuyers.'' 18th? Midtable? LOL
Ben, where's Brighon? You gave away the fact your Palace by your inept spelling.

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Ben Martin, Brighton says...
5:00pm Sat 16 Jun 07

Mark wrote:
Ben Martin wrote:
The article says; ''Although the Albion might have stuttered to a
mid-table finish last season, the city itself is in pole position for
attracting homebuyers.'' 18th? Midtable? LOL
Ben, where's
Brighon? You gave away the fact your Palace by your inept spelling.
Its just a typo.
No need to be paranoid.

:-)

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Ben Martin, Brighton says...
5:06pm Sat 16 Jun 07

Mark wrote:
Ben Martin wrote:
The article says; ''Although the Albion might have stuttered to a
mid-table finish last season, the city itself is in pole position for
attracting homebuyers.'' 18th? Midtable? LOL
Ben, where's
Brighon? You gave away the fact your Palace by your inept spelling.
By the way, the first 'your' in your message should be 'you're'.

Never mind, I'm sure it was just a typo.

:-)


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