York has been voted the most popular choice for a second home in the UK. In a landslide victory, it came in ahead of nine other destinations in the poll by whathouse.com’s monthly digital magazine.
Although a vote of confidence in the charms of our city, this will cause concern to those campaigning to change the chronic shortage of housing for residents.
Two-thirds of readers voted for York as their top choice. It was followed by Devon with nine per cent and the Scottish Highlands with seven per cent. Bath and Cornwall tied at five per cent, while Brighton bagged four per cent of the vote.
The result came as a surprise to whathouse.co.uk assistant editor Laurna Robertson (pictured right). “While York is a vibrant city with lots to offer residents and holidaymakers, coastal counties like Cornwall and Devon are traditionally considered to be more desirable areas for second homes,” she said.
“I wonder if the popularity of York may have to do with the more affordable homes for sale there in the current climate.”
According to BBC figures, the average house price in York is £203,485 which is significantly more affordable than Devon, £233,634, Bath, £281,990, Cornwall, £224,128 and Brighton and Hove, £284,174. The Scottish Highlands is considerably lower than the others with the average price at £152,432.
Steve Woomble, sales director for Linden Homes, said: “It is wonderful to see York doing so well in opinion polls like this. It is a wonderful city that combines the historic so well with the vibrancy and general buzz about the place.”
Linden Homes’ latest development in York – named 1877 to commemorate the golden age of railway – is proving popular, he added.
Paul Newman, managing director for Barratt David Wilson Yorkshire East, said: “There have been many encouraging signs of continued success in the property sector across this region and York has been a stand out success for some time.”
The company has one active site, Derwenthorpe, that has achieved near sell-out success in just 18 months, he added, and has several new schemes due to open in York soon “which will be perfect for buyers looking for a first or second home.”