This week on the blog we thought we would have a chat about the importance of the local community to both Lancaster home movers and also those that rent in our city.
When people move whether they are renting or buying, we talk a lot about location (where they want to live), how many bedrooms they need (the size of the home) and what they can afford (the price range they are looking for), however, it’s only when you dig deeper you really start to discover and understand what is truly important to them. Would it surprise you that 75% of home movers rate the local community as important and 72% of people renting feel the same?
A sense of local community is important to many. Humans are social animals, forming societies and seeking contact with others for well-being purposes. We want to feel included. We want to join in. If Covid has taught us anything, it is the importance of feeling connected, knowing our neighbours and looking out for each other.
As a child, I was brought up where the neighbours were addressed as Auntie and Uncle. I went to the local brownies and guides. I joined the local youth club. Today my Mum lives in the same house, in the same village. She’s now a member of the over 60’s club and occasionally goes to the local social club. This is her community.
Back in Lancaster, we have a great sense of community both in the city and out in the villages. As an estate agent, it is interesting to see when people upsize in the same area, citing the sense of community as a key reason for wanting to stay local. I see this a lot in both Fairfield and Freehold. Fairfield as a residents association. Freehold has a highly regarded Gregson which hosts lots of community events.
Out in the villages, we have village halls. Children go to the local schools and parents form bonds at the local primary schools as their children become friends. In developments such as Highwood and The Residence, there are local What’s App and Facebook groups so people know what’s happening. Bowerham has a local Facebook group – Bowerham is beautiful. Halton has a local community page, as do other villages including Caton and Brookhouse.
When people move, 87% of people questioned in the latest home moving trending survey cited pleasant neighbours as important. It was also interesting to read that 69% of tenants would stop longer if there was a sense of community in their building- by building we mean apartments.
One thing is for certain, neighbourhoods or streets where homes rarely come up for sale are a good indicator of a strong community, as is the number of neighbours a resident knows by their first name!
I’d love to know, how important is a great sense of community to you?
My name is Michelle Gallagher. If you would like to chat about the Lancaster or Morecambe housing market, I would love to help. You can reach me at michelle@jdg.co.uk or call me on 01524 843322
Thanks for reading
Michelle x