Poll reveals where we would love to live, but it comes at a hefty premium

A YouGov poll commissioned by national estate agent, Keller Williams UK, has found that coastal communities rank top as the dream location for love-struck couples.

The poll of 2,602 British adults asked, ‘if you could sweep your partner off to live anywhere, which of the following would be a dream location for you and your partner to live?’

There was one clear winner and while 84% of the population is located in urban areas, coastal communities ranked as the top choice by some margin (41.1%) where our dream home locations are concerned.

It would seem romance, property and water go hand in hand, with 23.4% also stating their dream home to escape with a loved one would be by a river or lake.

A village (22.5%), woodland area (19.4%), and isolated country (18%) or coastal locations (16.3%) also ranked high, while city centres (8.7%) were the least highly rated for couples escaping to their dream home.

However, separate research from Keller Williams shows it’s a tough ask for potential homebuyers with dreams of living by the best coastal spots.

Keller Williams looked at how 32 of the UK’s best coastal locations compare to the wider local authority in which they are located when it comes to property values. On average, house prices in top coastal locations command £379,372 in the current market, a huge 54% more than the average of £246,123 seen across the wider local authorities.

The Sandbanks in Poole is home to the highest coastal property price premium. With property commanding £1.6m on average, house prices in the Sandbanks are 465% higher than the wider area.

Abersoch in Gwynedd is home to an average property price 200% higher than the wider area.

Southwold in East Sussex, Woolacombe in North Devon, Salcombe in South Hams and Tynemouth in North Tyneside are all also home to a coastal price premium of between 122% to 160%.

CEO of Keller Williams UK, Ben Taylor, commented:

“As an island nation, a love for the coast is kind of ingrained in our DNA and it ranks as the dream destination for many if they could choose where to live with their partner.

Unfortunately, the luxury of being able to leave your house and take a romantic stroll by the sea will cost you, with the best coastal locations commanding a pretty property price premium.

So it’s quite lucky that they say you can’t put a price on love, as it means you have more to add to the savings pot when setting your sights on your dream home.”