20 July 2021
1) The glorious beaches
It's no secret that this part of the world is home to some stunning beaches. Fistral Bay in Newquay is a world-famous destination for surfers, while the likes of Lulworth Cove and Bournemouth beach in Dorset attract visitors in their thousands. Even people who have lived on the coast for years will say that the appeal never wears off. It truly is a wonderful luxury to have the beach right on your doorstep.
2) The miles of unspoilt countryside
If you're a fan of hiking (or simply enjoy taking in some stunning scenery), then the South of England is the place to be. Across Dorset alone, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic walks and hiking trails (read our guide here). From moors and healthland to country parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and Iron Age hillforts, you'll never run out of beautiful places to visit.
3) The house prices
The South offers great value for money when it comes to house prices, especially compared to major cities like London. People looking to move out of the city are often pleasantly surprised by how far their budget will stretch.
If you're a first-time buyer, you may be able to apply for the government's Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme. As an approved Help to Buy provider, many of our new build homes are available to purchase as part of the scheme. This means you could buy a Morrish home of your choice with as little as a 5% deposit (subject to terms and conditions). The loan will add a further 20% to your deposit, then a Help to Buy mortgage will cover the remaining 75% of the property cost.
To be eligible for the loan, homes have to be below the set maximum price for their area. In the South West, the price cap is £349,000. Many of our homes fall under that price cap.
4) The employment opportunities
You no longer have to live in a major city like London or Manchester to have access to the best career opportunities. The South is home to some big employers, and Dorset (in particular, Bournemouth), a hub for tech companies and pioneering start-ups, is known as the UK's answer to Silicon Valley.
The tourism industry in this region is booming, which means there are plenty of opportunities for anyone pursuing a career in hospitality.
More and more workplaces have made a permanent move to full-time remote working, meaning greater freedom to work from anywhere. If you're one of the lucky people now working remotely, why not make your office the beach?
5) Excellent schools and further education
Not only is this region home to many great schools, colleges and universities (which is clear to see from Ofsted reports and league tables) but, if there's one thing for sure, it's that happy children respond better to education. Children in the South will not only benefit from a great education but also the chance to be part of a small community and enjoy the great outdoors – something that's not as easy to do in large towns and cities.
6) Great weather
The South West region is widely considered as having its own microclimate, experiencing less extreme seasonal temperature changes than the rest of the country. This means milder winters and warmer summers. Parts of the South West even boast some of the longest hours of sunshine in the UK!
7) So much to see and do
There is certainly no shortage of fun things to see and do in the South. Home to some of the UK's most popular tourist destinations, the region boasts great family attractions, top-rated bars and restaurants, large concert and entertainment venues, and an array of indoor and outdoor leisure activities.
8) Great food and local produce
This part of the country is renowned for its fresh, tantalising local produce. Dorset, for example, boasts over 8,000 years of farming and fishing heritage, so it's no surprise that the area has a huge variety of incredible food and drink on offer. With everything from fresh seafood and local ales to mouth-watering cheeses, sausages and preserves, food lovers will be spoilt for choice.
Cornwall is known for its cheese and dairy produce (just picture a warm scone piled high with jam and delicious, fresh clotted Cornish cream!), local fish and seafood, and, famously, its traditional pasties.
9) Lower crime rates
Crime rates across the region are far lower than you would find in London or other big cities. Based on data from the year ending December 2020, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly had the third-lowest crime rate in England and Wales, at 52.3 crimes per 1,000 resident population (stats taken from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall). Living somewhere that feels much safer is a huge draw for people looking to relocate.
10) Overall quality of life
With an abundance of beautiful open spaces to explore, access to delicious local produce, and no shortage of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, it's easy to see why people in the South are generally relaxed, friendly and happy. Lower crime rates, good education, and a healthy job market are all major contributing factors to overall higher quality of life.
Ready to move to your new home in the South?
Tempted yet? We have beautiful new build developments across the South of England, including Poundbury in Dorset and Nansledan in Newquay.
