Where to live...
Hotspots and hidden gems to discover
From the fertile flatlands of East Anglia to the rolling downs of the South East; the open moors of North Yorkshire, Cumbria or Wales to the mountainous Highlands or the rugged West Coast; and from picturesque cottages and rambling farmhouses to elegant manors and clever conversions, there’s a rural home for every taste.
We all want value for money, but having the chance to move to those areas of the country that genuinely offer it, while holding down a city job, have long made it an impossible act to balance. Yet in the wake of Covid, the traditional bonds that have tied us to specific work spaces and buildings have been eased for many.
The result is that areas that were once out of bounds to five-day-a-week commuters are now in reach to those who might now only do one or two days out of seven in the office in the future.
Understanding what the varied regions of the UK have to offer in terms of their landscape, architecture and cultural feel is vital when deciding where you want to live. Some decisions are led by a childhood memory of holidays by the sea or up in the hills. I also meet many buyers for whom an escape to the country is an opportunity to return to the place where they were born, after a lifetime living and working away. Others, too, will see it as the chance to realise a long-held ambition toward rural life in a region as yet unknown, which just adds to the sense of adventure.
There are many ‘hotspots’ in Britain that are naturally attractive because of their fame – the Lake District, Cotswolds, Cornwall etc. This can mean that property prices are at a premium. But it doesn’t take too much looking to find a region that offers the same qualities as these ‘stars’ but, due to being less well known, house prices are considerably cheaper. You might just find that perfect property – and happiness – by going off the beaten track. Here’s my guide to hotspots and alternatives.