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Initially struggling to attract buyers, a set of townhouses just 50 yards from Rhosneigr’s beach weren’t quite the lure for outsiders 30 years ago.
Despite their idyllic location for watching sunsets across the sea, the small village on Anglesey’s west coast was somewhat overlooked.
Back in 1996, with no internet and significant travel times for most visitors, Ynys Môn was considered far-flung. While it had its charm as a holiday spot for families, it was unassuming, and homes were modestly priced around £50,836 on average.
But now, the tale has turned dramatically. Rhosneigr has emerged as an elite enclave, a sanctuary for the wealthy, with property value surges that come second only to London, according to the Express’s data unit.
As of September 2024, average house prices have soared to a jaw-dropping £679,000.
This year even saw a beachside townhouse snapped up hurriedly after intense interest was reported by local estate agent Rhosneigr Property.
And it’s not just a one-off; properties there are selling like hotcakes, with listings for quaint cottages boasting sea views vanishing within days, reports
Observing the frenzy from her station at the blue Funsport surf shop, local Nadine Moore ponders the craze over Rhosneigr, she said: “I mean, it’s just like a small high street and some shops. There’s not much here.”
Nadine Moore is a water sports enthusiast who has met influential people on Anglesey (Image: (Image: CHRIS NEILL))
Nadine, a water sports expert, describes the seaside vibes of Rhosneigr as uniquely compelling. Echoing the sentiments of many locals, she admits that despite her global travels, it was only this small community that captured her heart enough to call it home.
She said: “It’s got a vibe to it. Even travelling to Australia and New Zealand [they weren’t like Rhosneigr].”
Living in this picturesque spot for five years, Nadine has noticed its high-profile holidaymakers: “A lot of people come over and [their place in Rhosneigr] is not their only holiday home, they have a couple.
“You’ll meet like the owner of [a high street restaurant] or a housing corporation, every second person is usually quite a well-known figure.”
Describing the blend of residents, she likens Rhosneigr to the drama-filled series on , “Outer Banks”, where wealthy visitors mingle with the local community.
Nadine said: “It’s like a surf town, so you get a lot of individuals who come here for the kitesurfing and windsurfing. They are [part of a] core that has either grown up here or moved for the water sport scene.”
The waters of Rhosneigr aren’t just for thrill-seekers but also attract the affluent crowd from cities like Chester or Manchester.
Nadine added: “At the same time [the water] brings a lot of wealth over from like Chester or Manchester, rich individuals who come over here because they get to launch a powerboat and use the water quite luxuriously.
“They have beautiful homes that overlook a beach destination.”
Daniel Fernandes is one of many residents who fell in love with the village of Rhosneigr (Image: (Image: CHRIS NEILL))
The idyllic charm of a British village is being overshadowed by the growing problem of secondary properties often left vacant, leading to discontent among full-time residents.
Local councillor Derek Browne said: “The number of second homes is always an issue because the village in the winter is very quiet and some of the small businesses have closed down.
“Generally people are not happy about it because it’s pricing local and young people out of the market.”
The Welsh Language Society has pointed fingers at the proliferation of second homes for the sharp decline in Welsh speakers in Rhosneigr, with only 27% of the population speaking the native dialect – a stark contrast to neighbouring towns and one of the lowest rates on Anglesey.
The society said: “Rhoseignr [is] the epicentre of the second homes crisis, a symptom of the wider failure of the free market on housing to fulfil its purpose in providing adequate, affordable homes for local people.”
In response to these grievances, the Welsh government has empowered local authorities with new measures to combat the crisis, including the ability to levy up to a 300% premium on second homes.
On Anglesey, the council has implemented a 100% premium on top of the standard council tax, resulting in a total charge of 200%.
Councillor Browne has revealed that despite the legislation leading to homes being sold, the buyers are not locals.
This is due to the high prices and the surge in remote working during the pandemic, which has seen people from across the UK choosing places like Rhosneigr as their primary residence.
Recent clients of local estate agent Rhosneigr Property include a London-based family who can now live on Anglesey thanks to flexible work arrangements. The company’s owner, Daniel Fernandes, personally understands the appeal of relocating.
Daniel, whose wife from Cheshire spent her holidays in the village as a child, fell in love with the Rhosneigr lifestyle when he first visited his in-laws who had retired there.
He said: “The weather was stunning and when I saw the bay with the waves rolling in I was just in awe.
“Over the weekend I went to the bars and felt the buzz. We went that evening to a family barbecue and it was just like stepping into a different world.”
Indeed, in terms of soaring house prices, it’s a different world compared to even some of Britain’s most desirable postcodes.