Devon, and specifically the area around Exeter, conjures up images of rolling countryside, idyllic farmland and beautiful properties, but what's the truth? How much does property cost and who lives there (apart from Kirstie Allsopp)?
The average local is around 40, most likely married and living in a good-sized house with plenty of room for their growing flock. But it's when it comes to the housing stock that Devon really comes alive. Around 40 per cent of houses in mid-Devon are detached, almost twice the national average, and a whopping 90 per cent have four or more bedrooms. Predictably the house prices follow suit, coming in about 13 per cent above the UK average at £220,025.
The most expensive town in the area is Newton Abbot, where a property will set you back around £242,000. And for a hefty sum like that you can live the real deal rural life.Yet you're only a skip and a jump from the delights of Exeter, which has all the bars, cafes and shopping you could want.
So, it's no surprise the surrounding villages and towns are so popular, with lower than average crime and unemployment rates. But the effect of all this has been an influx of people buying property in the area as second or holiday homes - and this has had a less than positive outcome for locals.
Since 1999, house prices have increased 223 per cent while earnings have risen just 33 per cent. And on top of that, low cost homes are quite rare. A recent survey called for 350 new affordable houses to be created per year. But the current build rate is less than a fifth of that.
Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp give us their top ten tips on beating the house price slump
Restoring a property can be tricky so Kevin McCloud gives you his tips and advice
4Homes picks the top ten weirdest and most bizarre Grand Designs houses
Your Comments
Post your comment
Please note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in to Channel 4:
Sign In Here or Register Here
Comments closed
Comments are closed at the present time
Comments
Thank you for your comment!
Your message will be reviewed and the best ones will be published below.
If you intended to make an official comment to Channel 4 please contact us.
Comments