Why you might want to consider a move up North

With an increase in remote working and better transport links, people have more freedom about where they choose to live.

This increase in flexibility means rising numbers of people based in the South are considering a move to the North of the country. Andrew Porter Limited works all over the UK and can ensure your move to a new location goes as smoothly as possible.

But what are the main reasons people are choosing to relocate to the North? 

1. Lower house prices

   There’s no getting past it, you can get a lot more property for your pounds in the North of England. A report from Nationwide released earlier this year revealed that the average cost of buying a house in southern England is more than double that of purchasing a property in northern England. 
   
   The average house price in northern England was estimated at £123,864, compared to the south east where properties typically go for around £255,325. The divide was even more obvious when comparing property prices in the North to London where the average cost of a home is £455,984.
   

2. Cheaper living costs

   It isn’t just buying a house where you stand to save money if you move from south to north. The cost of living is lower in northern England than it is in the South. If you move to the North of England, you stand to pay less on council tax, public transport and even on your water bill. And the price of a pint varies depending on where you live. If you’re in a Yorkshire pub, you’ll typically pay £3.15 a pint, whereas in the capital it will set you back an average of £3.92.
   

3. People are happier up north

   According to Rightmove’s Happy at Home Index 2015, people in the North are happier than those in the South. The happiest place in the UK to live is Harrogate in North Yorkshire, followed by Shrewsbury in Shropshire. The only southern location to make it into the top five was Ipswich in Suffolk. York came in at number four, followed by Chester at number five. The study asked people to rank 12 different factors about the location they lived.
   

4. And they’re friendlier too

   It’s long been claimed that people are friendlier up North and now it has been backed up by a study. Academics from the University of Cambridge assessed the personalities of 400,000 people. Their report claimed the most agreeable people lived in the North of England and Scotland as well as some parts of the East of England and the South West. The study suggested that the inhabitants of these areas were friendlier, kinder and more trusting than those in other parts of the UK.

If you’re planning a house move to anywhere in the UK, get in touch with Andrew Porter’s home removals team on 0800 389 1222 to see how we can help.