New research from Santander shows that two-thirds (67%) of first-time buyers purchased a property in a completely unfamiliar neighbourhood. This is a huge jump from five years ago when only half (51%) of buyers took the plunge and bought in an unknown area.

This desperate measure highlights the difficult choices people are making in today’s property market.

What are buyers giving up to secure their dream home?

The biggest compromise was moving further away from family, with a massive 70% of buyers sacrificing proximity to loved ones. A further 68% said goodbye to their friendship groups, moving miles away to areas where they knew no one.

Graham Sellar, head of mortgage development at Santander, explains: “There’s a growing trend among first-time buyers to move to neighbourhoods further away from where they grew up, or where they were previously renting. Whether their original area is unaffordable, or they’re deliberately looking to move further afield to get better value for their money, location has become the number one compromise for many first-time buyers.”

How can you settle into a new area?

Santander has teamed up with actor Ryan Thomas, who knows a thing or two about moving to unfamiliar locations. Thomas moved 212 miles from Manchester to Brentwood in Essex to be with his partner, Lucy Mecklenburgh.

His advice? Get stuck in! “Moving away from my family in Manchester was difficult at first and it takes a while to find your feet in an unfamiliar neighbourhood, but I quickly started to get to know the locals, the great places for food, and where to take the kids for a fun day out.”

So there you have it – while it may feel daunting, embracing your new community can help you settle in and make the move feel worthwhile!