Proximity to loved ones is the most important factor influencing where people live, over work location and affordability.

New research from Santander Mortgages suggest that friends and family come first, unless you live in London, where work-related reasons such as proximity to the office is more important.

Across the UK some 39% of adults cited being close to friends and family as a main influencing factor, followed by 28% who named work-related reasons. Affordability of the area is important to 20% people, and surrounding areas of natural beauty is crucial to 16%.

Good transport links are of moderate importance to most people, with 13% of respondents saying they are a key factor in determining where they live. They represent a much more important factor to Londoners however, for whom it is the third most popular reason to live where they do, mentioned by 31% of respondents. For those in London this was only beaten by work-related reasons (34%) and family and friends (33%).

Being close to where you grew up is important for 11% of people across the UK, and the quality of local schools is a key factor for 9% of respondents.

For those in the North East affordability is a more important factor than work (22% compared to 19%) and the Welsh are more influenced by a feeling of loyalty to where they grew up than anyone else, with 8% stating this reason compared to just 4% across the UK as a whole.

Andy Smith at Santander, said: “It’s interesting to see the differences across the country in what influences people to live where they do. Those who live in London won’t be surprised to hear that transport links are so important to Londoners