Why Buying a Property on the South Coast Might Be For You

Buying a property for business or pleasure is a big step, so is the south coast the best place for it? Find out, here… 

Buying a new property, be it commercial or residential, during an economic crisis is not an easy feat. Even so, now might be the perfect time for you, personally, which is why you need to explore all your options. Is the south coast one of those choices? 

If you’re looking to transfer a commercial lease for your business, and up-sticks to the south coast, you came to the right place. Alternatively, if you’re starting a new business entirely, and are looking for a place to start, perhaps this will be food for thought. More likely, you may just be looking for a change of scenery, to live somewhere new, exciting, and inspirational. 

Whatever your reason for thinking about moving elsewhere in the UK, this blog post should help you to decide on your future property purchase. To discover why you might want to buy a new property, and why the south coast could be the choice for you, read on… 

Why You Might be Buying a Property 

Before we delve into the 10 reasons why the south coast is a great place to move to, let’s delve into the different reasons people choose to move in the first place. These reasons might include: 

To Move to A New House 

With COVID-19 having reconnected a lot of people to nature, and the importance of work/life balance, I have no doubt that people may start looking for coastal homes. What with so many people having the opportunity to work remotely now, this is completely changing the property landscape. Who’s to say that there won’t be a surge of city-dwellers upping to the sticks? 

Even without COVID-19, many people choose to retire to the south coast anyway. In fact, areas like Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Cornwall and Devon, provide that perfect dose of lazy sea air for older people looking to relax after years of hard work. So, for someone looking to put their feet up, a coastal home may be the choice. 

To Buy a Second Home 

Having two homes – one in the city and one on the coast – is an option for some people, especially older people. People often look for a second home to help them relax away from hustle and bustle of city life at the drop of a hat. For this, the south coast is popular choice. 

To add to this, the popularity of staycations is growing year by year, especially since COVID-19 which has changed holiday prospects altogether. So, for those looking to make a little extra income on the side in a booming industry, buying a home on the coast to rent out is a smart move. 

To Become a Landlord 

Becoming a landlord on the south coast is also a really exciting opportunity. Some of the top universities reside here, including Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, and more. This means that the market for student housing is thriving. 

Likewise, the job market is pretty great here, especially for those looking to move here to work remotely, post-COVID. Renting is always a popular option for non-students too, considering the prices of housing in the area, so it’s a great market to get your foot in the door. 

To Start a Business in a Commercial Space 

Finally, the south coast is also a thriving hub of small businesses, be it restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, cake shops… the list goes on. Specifically, Brighton is known as being a hub for its unique and thriving small businesses, so it’s certainly an option for many. 

In these cases, finding a commercial space will be the option for you. A large floor space with bags of opportunity to lease out from a landlord, or even buy outright, will be your first step. You just need to do your market research, thinking about location, your niche, and the target market, and you’ll be good to go! 

Brighton also offers a perfect blend of the commercial and the residential. Whether you’re planning to move to this location alone or with your family, you’ll find it offers everything you need for the perfect family life. You can also choose from or invest in different types of properties. As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to do your market research for the commercial properties. But you can also work with a real estate agent to find the best residential properties for you or your family.

10 Reasons the South Coast is the Best Place to Buy a Property  

Now that we know what reasons people choose to buy new properties in the UK, why is the south coast a great place for it? These 10 reasons are just the tip of the iceberg, so take a look…  

1. A Thriving Tourist Destination 

First and foremost, for anyone looking to buy or rent a commercial space for a new business, the south coast is the place for it! These areas are a melting pot of tourist attractions, including the seaside, the piers, the fairs, the fish and chips and ice-cream, and more. 

As mentioned previously, the staycation is industry is booming, and will continue to grow with safety restrictions in place for travelling abroad. So, it’s highly likely that the UK’s seaside towns will see a surge of visitors, and this bodes very well for local businesses. 

 2. The Beach is Right Nearby 

Whether you’re choosing to live here for pleasure or business, the main reason people head here is for the stunning beaches. Pebble beaches in Brighton, large sandy beaches in Bournemouth, and gorgeous blue seas in Cornwall are just some of what’s available down south. 

The unexplainable serenity of the sea – walking along the beach at night, and tanning by the sea in day – draws a lot of people in. It’s not hard to see why, and the south coast is the ideal area in the UK for this. 

3. Great for Your Health  

With the salty sea air filling your lungs, and the sound of the sea splashing against the shore, it’s not hard to see why many people living in these areas are generally less stressed. In fact, studies show that those who live in these areas have improved mental health.  

They also might have better skin, and improved physical health in general. So, it’s not just the views and the tourism that draw people in, but the genuine health benefits of seaside living. 

 4. Lots to See and Do 

Because of the abundant tourism on the south coast, this means there’s always something to see and do. Whether it’s just heading to the beach for a stroll, or popping over for a picnic and a read, that’s just the start of it. Add to this the restaurants, museums, aquariums, sea sports, charity shops, shopping centres, ice cream parlours, and endless other to-dos, it’s a melting pot of new experiences.  

5.  Good Transport Links 

Yes, there’s the benefits of being right by the coast, but sometimes a city escape might be something you need, especially if you’re used to city life. One of the great benefits of coastal areas down south is that they are still very close to some of the UK’s major cities. South-western coastal areas are relatively close to Bristol, and south-easterly you have the transport links to London. 

To add to this, the train lines are very regular and functional down on the coast. This means that you can hop on the train and head to London for the day on a whim, if you fancy it. It’s also great for anyone who wants to commute for work every so often. 

6. Great Schools 

We’ve mentioned the universities, and there are plenty of them on the south coast, but it’s not just higher education that’s flourishing here. In fact, southerly primary and secondary schools are known to be thriving, which adds another tick to the list for families looking to move. 

7. An Amazing Place to Bring Up Children 

Schools are one thing, but you also have to take into consideration the quality of life for children, wherever they live. With the abundant beaches, grassy locations, and things to do, as mentioned above, children who grow up on the coast are extremely lucky. They’ll probably take it for granted, but I have no doubt that they’ll thank you for their glorious childhood on the coast one day.  

8. Fantastic Food 

With the seaside tourism bringing hundreds of chefs to the area, the food down south is second-to-none. Not only do you have the benefit of fresh ingredients, specifically fish, you also have top chefs living in this area, and that means top food. So, for anyone who’s into exploring the world of UK food and drink, the south coast will keep you occupied. 

9. Inspires Creativity 

These days, there are so many creative job titles that require glorious views of sunsets, the seaside, food and drink, and more. Whether you’re a blogger, social media lover, photographer, painter or writer, seaside destinations are known to insight creativity and inspiration. 

In fact, many famous writers and painters lived on the coast, including Daphne du Maurier and William Blake. So, if you’re looking to be truly inspired in your work, just like some of the greats, the south coast may just be the place for you. 

10. Best of Both Worlds 

Ultimately, living on the south coast is the best of both worlds. Not only do you have the sea, sand, and sun, but you also have the luxury of being really close to gorgeous fields for walking and picnics, as well as busier towns the further up you go. If you want to be close to nature the majority of the time, with easy links to busier areas, the south coast is the one. 

Choosing Your Next Property Purchase?

Whether you’re looking to buy a commercial property to start a business, or just want a lifestyle change, the south coast is not just a gorgeous choice. It actually makes a very sensible one, considering all of the positives I’ve mentioned above.  

Do you live on the south coast and have anything to add? Or, perhaps you’ve been thinking about making the move and this has convinced you somewhat? Be sure to leave a comment down below with your thoughts, and happy house-hunting!