Yes, St Ives in Cornwall is generally considered expensive, particularly for housing, tourism, and living costs, due to high demand as a desirable seaside/art destination, pushing local affordability and attracting chain shops over independent ones. It ranks among the UK's priciest coastal towns for property and living, despite being in a generally poorer region.
In 2020, St Ives was named the most expensive seaside resort in the UK. The town has the second highest visitor-related spend in the UK, with tourists spending £85 million per year.
Despite its size, the town boasts world-class art galleries, including the Tate St Ives, set against a stunning coastal backdrop. Alongside its artistic heritage, St Ives is home to an excellent food scene, highlighted by the annual St Ives Food Festival.
At a whopping average selling price of £1.1million and £1.09m, St Mawes and Rock are currently the most expensive places to live in Cornwall … but are they worth it?
Truro East is the next richest neighbourhood in Cornwall with an average disposable household income of £39,900 a year. That's followed by Saltash Town & Pillmere with £39,500 a year and Truro South & Central with £39,400 a year.
Gordon Ramsay lives primarily in Rock, Cornwall, at a waterfront mansion he built on the site of a former property, overlooking the Camel Estuary, featuring an infinity pool, two kitchens, and luxury amenities; he previously owned other homes in Trebetherick and Fowey but sold those.
The cheapest places to live in Cornwall, particularly for buying property, are generally around Camborne and Redruth, with lower average house prices compared to the rest of the county, followed by areas like Bodmin and Par, offering a more affordable entry point with some community feel and ongoing rejuvenation projects.
Neither St Ives nor Newquay is definitively "better," as they offer different vibes: St Ives is known for its picturesque charm, art scene, independent shops, and beautiful beaches (but gets very crowded), while Newquay is the UK's surf capital, offering a livelier, more energetic atmosphere with excellent watersports, buzzing nightlife, and great beaches, evolving into a diverse outdoorsy hub. Choose St Ives for quaint beauty and art; choose Newquay for surf, nightlife, and a vibrant beach holiday.
While Cornwall is generally considered safe, areas with higher crime or antisocial behavior (ASB) often cited include Bodmin, Liskeard, Newquay, Penzance (Quay area), St Austell (Central), Redruth, and Camborne, often due to poverty, deprivation, or issues linked to substance abuse and street drinking, though these areas aren't inherently "dangerous" and many residents find them safe, especially compared to other UK regions. Specific hotspots for ASB can include town centers like Truro's, and deprivation is higher in areas like Penzance Quay and St Austell Central.
Yes, St Ives is notoriously expensive, particularly for housing, due to high demand from tourism and second homes, with property prices significantly above the national average, though recent data shows some minor price drops from peaks. The cost of living and rent are also high, making it difficult for local families and workers to afford to live there, leading to issues with housing affordability and a hollowing out of the local community for year-round residents, as per BBC, Cornwall Live, and Reddit users on r/Cornwall.
Mawgan Porth is sometimes known as “Hollywood-on-Sea” thanks to the number of celebrities snapping up properties in this gorgeous part of Cornwall. David Beckham, Kate Winslet, Stanley Tucci and Jason Statham are among the celebs spotted on the beach at Mawgan Porth.
The 2021 census recorded the population of Cornwall as 570,305. 96.8 per cent of the population of Cornwall described themselves as ethnically white, and 52.1 per cent described their nationality as British, with 15.8 per cent describing themselves as English only.
It's not unlikely to rain during your stay in St Ives. This is the South West after all, and a bit of wet weather is the price we happily pay for a temperate climate and a lush landscape.
There's no single "most beautiful" beach in Cornwall as it's subjective, but Kynance Cove, with its turquoise water, white sand, and serpentine rocks, and Pedn Vounder, known for its stunning cliffs and clear waters, are consistently ranked as top contenders for beauty, alongside Porthcurno, Carbis Bay, and Crantock Beach for different reasons like family-friendliness or dramatic scenery.
If you're over 45 and dreaming of a peaceful, scenic place by the sea to enjoy your retirement years, St Ives in Cornwall could be high on your list. Famous for its breathtaking beaches, vibrant arts scene and laid-back lifestyle, this Cornish gem offers the perfect setting for a relaxed, fulfilling retirement.
