A safe neighbourhood is the number one thing we look for when buying a home.

That’s according to new research carried out by AA’s Home Emergency Response Service, as part of its State of the Nation’s Homes series of reports.

Nine out of ten want somewhere with off-road parking, while house-hunters also cite proximity to green space (79 per cent) and a more energy efficient property (82 per cent) as deciding factors in where they move.

Ninety four per cent of Londoners favour proximity to transport links, compared to an average of seven out of 10 across the rest of the country. They’re also likeliest to want to live somewhere with restaurants, pubs and shops nearby. In fact the survey found that across the UK, movers are almost twice as likely to look for a home within staggering distance of a pub rather than sports facilities or even a good school.

Forty one per cent want to live close to a pub or restaurant, compared to just one out of five who’d like sports facilities nearby. And although many parents try to ensure their children can attend a good school, only 23 per cent of respondents take catchment areas into account when moving.

Although under 35s are almost half as likely to live with children as those aged 45-54 (31 per cent compared to 54 per cent), they’re 2.5 times more likely to choose a home close to a particular school.

Tom Stringer, head of the AA’s Home Emergency Response service said: “A home is the biggest investment that most people make, so understandably they want to ensure they’re making the right choice.

“People normally hope to stay in their property for at least a few years so it’s not surprising that they want to live somewhere they feel safe and in a location which has the conveniences they want, like off-road parking, shops and public transport nearby.

“It’s interesting that even people without children want to live near a good school.

“It’s likely that they’re looking to have children in the near future and don’t want the hassle of moving when their child is about to start school. Our research shows that buyers are likelier to be flexible in the type of property they choose rather than its location – after all, you can change your home but not its surroundings.”