LONDONERS have accounted for 20 per cent of all house purchases this year in Worthing, West Sussex, up from 16.7 per cent last year, research by Hamptons shows. It’s one of the highest figures on record, with the large volume of moves likely due to changing post-pandemic employment patterns giving buyers greater flexibility to work from home.
That flexibility was one of the reasons Mark Smith and his husband Karl Willes decided to sell their house in Norbury, London and move to East Worthing in October last year. With Mark, 50, already working from home and 56-year-old Karl only required to work one day a week in the office, they felt the time was right.
They’d looked at Hove, 26 miles along the coast in East Sussex, two years before. “But when we realised we couldn’t afford what we wanted, we parked the idea and stayed in London,” says Mark.
However, when the pandemic hit, the couple’s priorities changed. “We felt disconnected from London. All the things we love about the city, such as the theatre, music, art galleries and restaurants, were all shut,” adds Mark. “We realised we didn’t need them on a daily basis any more.”
He spotted an Instagram post showcasing Worthing. Having never considered the area before, the couple decided to check it out. “We came down for a weekend in late August 2020 and fell in love with it,” says Mark. “Worthing is nothing like its reputation as a retirement town.”
This story is from the November 24, 2021 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 24, 2021 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'WE WON'T ALTER OUR APPROACH FOR DERBY'
SON SAYS SPURS MUST STICK WITH ATTACKING FORMULA TO SINK RIVALS
A classic in store with so much on the line for rivals
IT IS 20 years this week since Arsenal's 'Invincibles' won the league at White Hart Lane, crowning one of the finest campaigns in English top-flight history in the sweetest way possible.
City show they can flex muscle without Haaland
De Bruyne and Foden step up in star's absence to turn heat on Arsenal
Quins must find right tempo to keep title dream alive
HARLEQUINS hope the high-octane Twickenham factor can supercharge their Premiership play-off bid in tomorrow's crucial clash against league leaders Northampton.
Thoma Bravo agrees $5bn deal to buy Darktrace
CYBERSECURITY firm Darktrace today became the latest business to quit the London Stock Exchange after it unveiled a $5.3 billion deal to be acquired by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo.
£100bn City exodus as companies sell up or move their main listing
COMPANIES worth about £100 billion are on the way out of the London stock market so far this year, either by being bought up or via moving the main home for their shares overseas, and experts fear there is much more to come.
Move over Dire Straits, stadium pop is now fashion, fabulous and gay
I CONCEDED that this week belonged to one woman, on waking up Monday morning to be greeted by every news channel -leading with concurrent Taylor Swift stories.
My mixed-race identity is not your punchline
A NASTY debate has broken out online about how someone's mixed-race identity is impacted by which of their parents is white.
It's all we have left: the chance to end Arsenal's title hopes
IMAGINE you are nearing the end of running the London Marathon. You can see the finish line.
I am disappointed with Sadiq. I am furious with him
Mayoral candidate Natalie Campbell tells Ross Lydall about working for the royals, class in London and what the capital needs