Nearly half of Gulf Shores homebuyers surveyed by The Demand Institute who say they plan to move at some point in the future say that location still matters for them.
While some Gulf Shores homebuyers say they will move for a larger or nicer home, or perhaps buy a home for the first time, three out of every four movers say that a location consideration is a reason for moving.
Most Gulf Shores homebuyers who answered the survey said they won't go very far. More people seem to be wanting to move closer to city centers and are looking for denser, more walkable living. But most Americans in general say they will still continue to choose to live in the suburbs.
Findings of Gulf Shores Homebuyers Surveyed
For most Gulf Shores homebuyers, the location of their home is as important as or even more important than the physical home itself. So it's not surprising that location-related reasons play a critical role in the decision on when and where to move. 75% cite one or more location-related reasons for why they are planning to move.
While location plays a big rol in housing decisions, most Gulf Shores homebuyers say they will stay in state, and more than half (59%) will move within 30 miles of their current home, and 27% of those plan to move less than 10 miles from where they live now.
A big factor for Gulf Shores homebuyers is the desire to feel safe where they live. "Safe Neighborhoods" is a top unmet housing need for many Gulf Shores homebuyers, as well as most Americans nationwide.
Other location-related priorities vary greatly. Those with school-age children care about good schools, while those in the workforce want to be close to their job. Others want to be in walkable areas near entertainment, services and public transit, and some don't want to be close to anything at all.
Since most Gulf Shores homebuyers have at least one car, they continue to be fine with being a short drive from most services and amenities. Still, most do want to be within walking distance of one or two places, like a park, bus stop or convenience store.
There are important benefits associated with more walkability. More walkable communities report stronger expectations with home price growth, and are also more likely to report that their quality of live has improved in the past few years.
As you can see, there is tremendous diversity among Gulf Shores homebuyers in terms of features and benefits. This diversity will likely persist going forward, given that these differences reflect divergent consumer needs and preferences. And this is a good thing, providing Gulf Shores homebuyers with options consistent with their life stage and preferences.
If you're considering joining the ranks of Gulf Shores homebuyers but are not sure where to begin, give us a call or fill out our short contact form here on our site. We're always available to sit down and discuss your moving plans with you and help you find the right neighborhood for your lifestyle and desires.