How do you find the optimum place to live?

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

One could add the "....and if I find it - then how do I keep it to myself - so The World and Their Spouse doesnt move there too" - as in the process they will muck it up for those already there (increased house prices, increased traffic, etc).

Won't make a ha'porth of difference.

Only those obsessed with stats drool over stuff like this.


There is more to life than house prices and disposable income.


I went to Derby once. Says it all ....

hazyjo

Haven't read all the replies...

I wanted somewhere nice to live, possibly in Essex (which I'd usually ruled out) and by the coast, and searched for things like:

Essex sea cafes coffee restaurants bars pretty music

and everything kept pointing towards Leigh-on-Sea. So I checked it out... and found myself determined to move there. The year before last, it came out as the happiest place to live in the UK. Last year, it came second to Leamington Spa.

Can honestly say I couldn't wish to live anywhere nicer and happier.

BUT... what works for me would be someone else's worst nightmare, so there is no amount of statistics, algorithms, or data that could ever label each area.

You have houses costing millions in somewhere like Islington - and round the corner there may be some grim blocks of flats or a rough estate.

There's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to property.

Towser

One could add the "....and if I find it - then how do I keep it to myself - so The World and Their Spouse doesnt move there too" - as in the process they will muck it up for those already there (increased house prices, increased traffic, etc).

Not really because like all people before mentioned on this thread not everybody can. Due to family, work commitments etc.

It's only the upwardly mobile who would truly make the most of the statistics.

For example I was restricted between the M1 and M40 as close to London as possible and within budget of a house I could afford. But I have made the most of the statistics and live in a lovely place.

Next I am trying to find a retirement spot. Any input would be great.

hazyjo

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

One could add the "....and if I find it - then how do I keep it to myself - so The World and Their Spouse doesnt move there too" - as in the process they will muck it up for those already there (increased house prices, increased traffic, etc).

If you're already there, would it matter if the prices went up? I'm not looking to make a profit, quite happy if they drop so others can afford to buy, but if it makes me a shedload of dosh so I can move out when I retire to release equity, I won't complain.


Traffic into where I live has always been bad, and parking is a nightmare, but I rarely use my car and have off street parking, so no complaints about people moving in. They'll only be buying houses that exist already, so can't really see the harm in it being more desirable. Means it'll be easier for me to sell if/when I do.

moneyistooshorttomention

hazyjo wrote: »

If you're already there, would it matter if the prices went up? I'm not looking to make a profit, quite happy if they drop so others can afford to buy, but if it makes me a shedload of dosh so I can move out when I retire to release equity, I won't complain.


Traffic into where I live has always been bad, and parking is a nightmare, but I rarely use my car and have off street parking, so no complaints about people moving in. They'll only be buying houses that exist already, so can't really see the harm in it being more desirable. Means it'll be easier for me to sell if/when I do.

Price rises matter - if one hasn't got a "Final House" yet and is still climbing the ladder. Or, obviously, if one hasn't even got a starter home yet.

Increased traffic probably matters even to those that are part of that "traffic". It matters even more to those that aren't part of that "traffic" - but still getting all the traffic fumes/noise/hold-ups of buses/etc because of it and planners wondering whether to increase the amount of road space etc for it.

Never forgotten the (former) friend that was absolutely serious when we walked along somewhere attractive & countryish and said "Why don't they build a flyover road over this to help traffic flow into the city?" Duh!!!!!! and seemed to have no conception that it was meant to be "attractive & countryish for recreational purposes".

hazyjo

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Price rises matter - if one hasn't got a "Final House" yet and is still climbing the ladder. Or, obviously, if one hasn't even got a starter home yet.

Increased traffic probably matters even to those that are part of that "traffic". It matters even more to those that aren't part of that "traffic" - but still getting all the traffic fumes/noise/hold-ups of buses/etc because of it and planners wondering whether to increase the amount of road space etc for it.

Never forgotten the (former) friend that was absolutely serious when we walked along somewhere attractive & countryish and said "Why don't they build a flyover road over this to help traffic flow into the city?" Duh!!!!!! and seemed to have no conception that it was meant to be "attractive & countryish for recreational purposes".

Yep, but was just referring to if you were there already, not if you were looking to buy there still, or buy a first home. Would like prices to drop to help them.


Totally get the reasons behind you not saying. Doubt the traffic where I am could get much worse so I've not really got much to lose by telling people where it is and how nice it is The areas near me where tourists and locals visit won't ever have drastic changes made.