Halifax is 'least popular destination' in UK

Tuesday, 22, Apr 2008 11:33

Halifax has proved the least popular property destination in the UK in 2008.

That is according to research from MoveMe.com, which finds 57.1 per cent more movers have left the town than arrived this year.

After an unstoppable charge Halifax fell five places and took over last position from west Central London, which was ranked the least popular destination in 2007.

Halifax was closely followed by Uxbridge, which was ranked as the second least-popular destination with movers, pushing east London out of the second spot.

"Halifax, most famous for being the old head office of Halifax Building Society, has little going for it - situated out in the sticks with poor communication links and high crime levels, the former textile town has failed to achieve the resurgence seen in the neighbouring golden triangle of Leeds, York and Harrogate," explained MoveMe founder, Mark Cunningham.

The West Country proved the most popular destination for movers in the UK, with Truro and Torquay making it into the UK's top three destinations for 2008.

In Truro, where Land Registry figures currently place the average house price at £212,097, nearly £30,000 higher than the UK average, 40 per cent more buyers were looking to move into the area than move out.

Similarly, 36.7 per cent more people were looking to move into Torquay, where good schools, lower crime rates and the coastal lifestyle prove a draw.

Truro moved up 14 places to knock Powys off the top spot as the most popular destination for home movers in 2008, while Powys fell eight places to position nine.