Thinking of relocating in 2022? There’s a lot to consider when it comes to making the big move, even if you plan to stay on UK soil – and from housing prices and local amenities to schools and leisure, it can often be difficult to work out where is most likely to give you the lifestyle you desire.
But when money is no object – or you at least have a sizable budget to play with – the good news is that there are plenty of highly desirable cities and towns to choose from across the nation, with somewhere to suit all tastes. Post-pandemic, we’re spending more time at home than ever, which means we’re demanding more not just from our properties, but the locations we live in, too. And rightly so. There’s nothing like a global incident to put what’s important to you into perspective, whatever that happens to be.
So, whether being by the seaside or immersed in nature is at the top of your list, or you’re keen to make the best possible investment for the future, these are the cities to consider. All you need is a man and van to shift your prized belongings to your brand new luxury abode, and a new and improved life awaits.
Bath
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, Bath is steeped in rich history and filled with examples of breath-taking architecture from times gone by. Famed for its well-preserved Roman baths, which attract tourists from across the globe each and every year, it has much more to offer besides, and with an abundance of spectacular green spaces and plenty of stunning properties to peruse, if you’re looking for a new luxury hideaway on the edge of the Cotswolds, then you could do a lot worse than choosing here.
Granted, buyer demand in Bath is at an all-time high – and as a result, so, too, are house prices. Currently, the average price of a home in the city comes in at £550,500, with the average family abode climbing to £650,000 – but luxury buyers looking above that price bracket will find that competition isn’t as full on and that, for the right figure, there’s a great chance of finding the property of your dreams.
Lyme Regis
For those in search of a seaside sanctuary, Lyme Regis has emerged as the place to be in 2022. Nestled on the Jurassic Coast, 25 miles west of Dorchester, it is often referred to as ‘the pearl of Dorset’, and enjoys a privileged location with easy access to golden sand beaches and beautiful, rocky coastline.
A bustling and vibrant town comprising pretty, cobbled streets and shady courtyards, period buildings, weekend markets and lots of small, local businesses, Lyme Regis has a decidedly quaint and quintessentially English feel about it. There are plenty of good schools and amenities in the vicinity, and it’s the perfect pick for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, owing to the breath-taking stretch of coastal path it offers access to.
Like Bath, family homes in Lyme Regis average around the £650,000 mark at present, and that number is continuing to rise. You can expect to pay well over the £1 million mark for a luxury property at the lower end of the spectrum.
Salisbury
This charming medieval cathedral city is nestled in the English countryside less than ten miles south of Stonehenge, and is surrounded by the green, rolling hills and abundant countryside Wiltshire is known and loved for.
On that note, Salisbury is also a city that takes its green credentials seriously, with a number of initiatives in place at present and more to come. In 2021, it saw the highest pandemic house price growth of any city in the UK, surging by a whopping 36 percent over the course of the year – and making it one of the most in-demand locations to live in. Even now, prices are continuing to surge, but affluent buyers can find plenty of properties to afford them their dream lifestyle.
Offering a welcoming community, excellent schools and great quality of life, too, it’s easy to see why it’s becoming a popular choice amongst those looking for a new life in the countryside.
