How do you choose where to live? We conducted an in-depth analysis of thousands of first-time buyers to explore exactly what it is, that motivates them. With independent analysis from Ronan Lyons & Tom Gillespie, this new report opens the door to how we choose where to live.

Key Findings

New homebuyers are three times more likely to favour proximity to nature vs. nightlife when considering the location of their new property.

Shrubs Over Pubs

Be part of and connected to a local community is paramount with 60% of those who we surveyed stating they wanted to live closer to their families. 

Community Spirit

Four out of every ten first-time buyers told us that they want their morning coffee and local eatery within walking distance of their new home.

Local Treats

Ireland's first 'Love Where You Live' Report

Green space and indeed blue space (beaches/rivers/lakes) amenities – are now front and centre for those buying a home.  Having parks or walks nearby was chosen by more respondents to our survey than any other factor, overall. 

If anything, despite being free – once you are in an area – this appears to be what economists would refer to as a ‘luxury good’.

Navy

Nature Heroes

First-time buyers are more likely to mention childcare and a playground when choosing a location to live, while other buyers were somewhat less likely to prioritise these facilities. Perhaps the most interesting difference between those two groups is the importance of work hubs. 

While still, a secondary factor compared to things like access to transport or walks, first-time buyers mentioned work hubs 60% more often than other buyers.

Life Stages

Other factors that are top of the list when people are choosing their homes include access to a city or town centre and access to the transport network. These are the factors that urban economists would typically think of as being of primary importance in the choice of where to live. 

And they are a reminder that the fundamental necessity of earning a living has not changed. Indeed, as we discovered there is a wide range of factors that people use to distinguish where to live.

Transport Links

"Our 'Love Where You Live' Report has been a fascinating look at the Irish market. As an exercise, it makes for an interesting temperature check for Irish attitudes as a whole, one that can be added to as more spacial data becomes available."

- Ronan Lyons,  Assistant Professor of Economics, TCD

Find Out More

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Episode 1 - The First-Time Buyers

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Episode 3 - The New Build

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