Small regional towns, typically in the North of England, are witnessing a surge in popularity, with demand from buyers for homes in the comparatively quieter areas far outpacing that seen in larger cities, according to a report Thursday from Rightmove.
Hereford, a rural locale in the West Midlands near the Welsh border, topped the list for newfound popularity. Demand for homes in the town—measured by Rightmove as the number of people phoning and emailing estate agents about properties for sale—increased 77% during the first two weeks of June, compared to the first two weeks of March, before any coronavirus lockdown measures came into effect.
In Wigan, a town roughly equidistant between the two major northern cities of Liverpool and Manchester, demand rose 71%. Rochdale, also in the Greater Manchester area, ranked third with demand jumping 66% from early March.
“The fact that towns are bouncing back better than cities is indicative of many prospective buyers choosing smaller areas to live, but still looking for places that will have all the facilities they need on their doorstep,” Miles Shipside, Rightmove’s property expert, said.
source:Walk street
