South Coast benefits as record number of Londoners leave the Capital

More than 60,000 Londoners bought a home outside of the capital in the first half of last year, the highest number since records began in 2006.

The data, which comes from estate agent Hamptons, has been highlighted by South East storage firm Store & Secure, which has facilities in Poole, Bournemouth and Basingstoke.

The company says it has noticed an increase in the number of people using its facilities in Hampshire and Dorset as they move out of the capital in search of cheaper properties and a better work-life balance.

Store & Secure also says that it has seen a surge of people moving to coastal and commuter areas this summer, in part spurred on by an increased prevalence of working from home since the coronavirus lockdowns in 2020.

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Lucy Maidman, who runs the business with her sister Sophie, said: “We have noticed through the summer an increase in people storing possessions because of house moves.

“And the trend of people relocating from London looks like it is continuing – it’s something that has happened since the lockdowns.

“Our facilities in Poole, Bournemouth and Basingstoke are in the areas people are moving to – either commuter towns so they can get to London two or three times a week, or coastal areas.

“Some are buying second homes, but most are relocating and when we speak to them they usually say that they no longer need to live in London because they can work from home.

“Some will go in to London a couple of times a week, but they are able to move away and save a lot of money. They are able to improve their work-life balance and live in nicer areas.

“We anticipate that this trend will continue as hybrid working becomes more established, London costs continue to rise and strikes often mean people can’t commute anyway.”

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