Buyers and tenants have become much more environmentally-conscious in recent years, with developers and investors needing to match this increasing demand for sustainable homes and properties with plenty of green space nearby.

The pandemic has further supercharged people’s love affair with nature and their gardens, as they became a life-saver for many during the worst days of the Covid crisis.

So it’s perhaps no surprise that new research has revealed that green spaces are the top reason why people want to move home.

According to research commissioned by Paymentshield, nearly one in five (19%) say they would be likely to look to move to home or area with more green space in the next two years. 

In a YouGov survey of 2,180 representative UK adults, greater access to green space was the main motivating factors for people looking move home. The research found that the top two reasons why people were likely to be looking to move home in the next two years were ‘to move to a property with more green space’ (15%) and ‘to move to a location with more green surroundings’ (12%).

Moving to save money was the third most common choice, with 11% of people stating their next house move would be a cost-cutting measure. 

James Watson, sales director at Paymentshield, said: “With one in five people now looking for more green space in their next house move, this demonstrates a significant shift in the priorities of the nation. It is clear that the global pandemic has caused many people to revaluate what is most important to them with the home taking on a much greater importance.”

According to the study, the top 10 most common reasons why people would be likely to move home in the next two years are:  

1.    Move to a property with more green space – 15%

2.    Move to a location with more green surroundings – 12%

3.    Save money – 11%

4.    Move to a smaller home – 9%

5.    New location for work – 8%

6.    Bigger home to accommodate a growing family – 8%

7.    As a result of a changing relationship status – 8%

8.    Bigger home to accommodate home working – 7%

9.    Move to a more sustainable building – 6%

10. Move in with family – 2%