Wish you were here (permanently)? Survey reveals how holidays inspire home moves

6 September 2023, 09:54

Deckchairs in Sidmouth, Devon — Holidays and home moves. Picture: PA

Some 9% of people who have been on a UK-based holiday in the past three years have decided to move to their destination, according to Zoopla.

Around seven in 10 people who have recently taken a holiday in the UK have researched how much it would cost to live at their destination, according to a property website.

A survey of renters and homeowners who have been on a UK-based break in the past three years found that 71% have investigated the cost of properties in the places they travelled to.

More than four in 10 (42%) have looked up the value of the exact property or holiday home they stayed at, according to Zoopla.

Nearly two-fifths (38%) of those surveyed said they researched the cost of local properties online while they were away, dedicating nearly an hour (an average of 53 minutes) of their holiday typically to doing so.

A view of Malham in Yorkshire, the county identified by Zoopla as one of the top destinations to move to among people who were inspired by a UK holiday to up sticks (Danny Lawson/PA)

Seven in 10 (70%) people said a permanent move to the destination was something discussed or thought about while away. Some said they were spurred on by thoughts of a better quality of life, cleaner air or living somewhere safer.

Others said the discussion came about as a result of seeing their children playing in the countryside or on the beach.

Across the survey, one in 11 (9%) people said they had gone ahead and decided to move to their holiday destination, while a further 12% decided to move somewhere similar.

Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, said: “The research clearly shows that holidays in the UK are a significant motivator for encouraging people to consider making a big move – changing their home as well as their lifestyle.”

A beach in Falmouth. Cornwall was the top destination among people who were inspired by a recent UK-based holiday to move home, according to Zoopla (Ben Birchall/PA)

He suggested people should consider factors such as regional variations in salaries and commuting times if they are planning to work remotely.

Local schools will also be a factor for some of those considering a move.

Censuswide surveyed more than 2,000 homeowners and renters in August who have been on holiday in the UK in the past three years.

– Here are the top 10 destinations where people were prompted to move after going on holiday, among those who moved to their exact destination or somewhere similar, according to Zoopla:

1. Cornwall

2. London

3. Yorkshire

4. Devon

5. North Wales

6. South Wales

7. Isle of Wight

8. Somerset

9. Scottish Highlands or Islands

10. Cumbria

By Press Association