More people are ditching the cities and choosing to live by the coast.
A new report from Daft.ie shows the average cost of a home close to the sea is up by almost a quarter since the pandemic began.
Homes in Lahinch in Co. Clare and Kilmore Quay in Wexford have seen even bigger price hikes.
The study reviewed 120,000 properties listed across the country from January 2019 to April 2021.
Meanwhile, the report found Dublin City is losing its appeal in the property market.
Searches for houses or rooms in Dublin City Centre were down over 65 per cent while there was a 56 per cent drop in searches for properties in Dundrum.
Dr. Tom Gillespie, Environmental Economist with NUIG and author of the report, explains what could be driving the trend:
“There is a renewed interest in the sea and sea swimming and surfing.
“We have had two staycation summers; we have had increased savings and remote working has changed the trade-off between having to live close to jobs and having to live close to nature.
“So, you see a lot of people that are relocating from cities to coastal areas and locals that grew up in these coastal areas are returning to the cities.”
Main Image: Horn Head in Co Donegal, 11-12-2008. Image: Gareth Mccormack/Design Pics
