Proximity to family or work - where would first time buyers rather live?

Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016

New research by Principality Building Society released today has found that first time buyers are prepared to forget the family and would rather live nearer the office.

Whether we’re dashing to meetings or checking work emails on our smartphones before we’re out of bed in the morning, Britain is becoming a nation of ‘workaholics’.

In a survey polling 2,000 first time buyers across England and Wales – dubbed ‘First Time Triers’ by Wales’ largest building society – unsurprisingly location ranked as the most important factor to three quarters of first time buyers surveyed (75%).

Results showed that over a fifth (21%) of prospective homeowners would compromise living near to their family over proximity to work (15%), suggesting that popping into the office is easier than getting to family get-togethers.

The results also showed that first time buyers would even put proximity to shops (14%), transport networks (12%) and being close to a city (13%) over being able to nip over to mum and dad’s quickly.

Principality Building Society’s Customer Director Julie-Ann Haines said: “First time buyers are working harder than ever to make sure they’ve got money in their pocket to afford and secure a house. We’re pleased to see that these future homeowners understand the realities of buying a house and are willing to make compromises on the way to putting that deposit down.  It seems these first time buyers would rather be late for lunch with the family than a 9am meeting.  We wish them luck telling their mums!”

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