Cornwall sees spike in property searches - overtaking London as the most desirable place to live

It may have a population of over nine million and be the capital city of England but London has been knocked off the top spot - when it comes to searching for a new home.

The pandemic has upturned all our lives and it's made us rethink our priorities - including where we want to live.

So, it's no surprise that instead of London, Cornwall is now the top location where people are looking for properties - according to a survey by Rightmove.

Covid has meant that most of us have had more flexible working, while we've all craved more outdoor space and appreciated time with friends and family.

So living in places like Cornwall, with its great beaches and miles of coastlines, are now a possibility. Rightmove's data shows that last month there were five million searches for properties in Cornwall - rising to the top spot just above London.

While other seaside counties, such as Devon, have also seen a surge in searches, with the cream tea capital coming in third above Bristol and Glasgow.

While those who live in London have also been looking to move out of the city - with the data showing that 52 percent of those living in the city are searching for homes outside of London - a percentage which has jumped by 13 percent, in the last year.

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Rightmove’s director of property data Tim Bannister said: ‘The stand-out trends over the past year have been increased demand for countryside and coastal living, more people making the dream of a detached home a reality, and the increased appeal for a garden. 

"The huge population of London means that traditionally it’s the most searched for location on Rightmove, but the appeal of the coast and the countryside over the past year has seen Cornwall crowned the new capital this year," he added.