In a little seaside town previously deemed at “saturation point” with pensioners homes are selling in just 26 days. New analysis by Purplebricks revealed houses in Exmouth, Devon, sell in less than a month, despite costing on average £341,268, which is £73,000 more than the UK’s median average of £268,087.
Although it is loved by pensioners, the area reportedly now attracts people of many different ages, including retirees, those returning home after moving to London, young parents and those who have always holidayed in Devon. Purplebricks Exmouth property partner Will Dunford confirmed to the MailOnline Exmouth is popular for downsizing.
He said: “People love the area. It’s quite a common thing. It’s a popular spot to come to. Exmouth beach is well renowned. There’s lots of popular places so it’s been one of those areas that always has a busy market.”
However this comes two years after East Devon councillors in 2023 warned there were so many elderly people it is at “saturation point” and reaching the stage where it is no longer “economically viable”.
The comments came in response to a proposal to build a new block of retirement apartments, urging it instead needed to attract younger people, which the chairman of developer Churchill Retirement Living called “ageism, plain and simple”.
A town council statement said: “It puts a very particular type of development – retirement properties – in an area awash with them when we’re in desperate need of affordable homes for young families and couples.”
Rosie Roome of Churchill Living countered the statement, claiming it was “important to provide choice within the housing market”.
She added the proposal will have benefits “throughout the whole housing market” by freeing up larger properties for families which in turn frees up homes for first-time buyers.
As of the 2021 census, Exmouth had more than 35,000 residents in its town around 11 miles southeast of Exeter.
The popular seaside spot has two miles of golden sand along the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe.
