Recent reserach carried out by Lloyds Banking Group has revelaed that for the second year running, the BN3 postcode in the South Coast town of Hove is the most desirable place to buy a home in England and Wales for young professionals looking to get onto the property ladder. It's the second year the seaside town has taken top spot, pipping its neighbour, Brighton to the post. Brighton's BN1 postcode came in as the seventh most poplular place to live for aspiring, ambitious, professional 25-44 year olds.

Buyers are attracted by its independent shops, lively social scene, diverse population, great bars and restaurants, beach side location, affordable housing and the fact that it's less than an hour's train ride away to the capital.

But there's no denying London's enduring popularity with young professionals, with 16 of the 20 areas with the most property sales located in the capital. Top spots include: Battersea, Islington, Wandsworth, Balham, Paddington, Clapham, Wimbledon, Hampstead and Kilburn.

It may surprise some that Reading is the 20th most popular place to buy a home. Urbanites being priced out of the London market are drawn by its proximity to London, well-placed technological businesses and the arrival of Crossrail in 2019.

Moving North of the M4, Manchester remains an attractive option, with Didsbury at the top of many people's wish lists. Other towns that make it into Lloyds list are: Cambridge, West Bridgford, Jesmond, Cardiff Central and Broomhill. It remains to be seen if Hove will top next year's list as property prices continue to rise and more and more people seek property in the already popular region. Watch this space.