In London and St. Thomas, we’re not as happy as we used to be: Poll

Worry over homelessness, housing and discontent with life in London topped a Nanos Research poll done for the city and region’s realtors.

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Pollster Nik Nanos unveiled the results of a recent poll Thursday for the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors, and the snapshot of the housing market also revealed top concerns for area residents.

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When asked to rate life in the cities, only 36 per cent of those surveyed said the overall quality of life in London was “very good” with 55 per cent saying it is average and eight per cent describing it as poor.

The survey indicated quality of life in London has declined, as the same survey in 2021 showed that 56 per cent called life here “very good” and in 2019 that was 66 per cent.

“I am not shocked,” said LSTAR president Adam Miller. “There are a lot of factors, but people are not happy and this is not just a London issue.”

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High interest rates, affordability especially in home buying, coupled with concerns over homelessness and mental health issues are all factors in the results, he added. In his presentation to the realtor group, Nanos said those figures are mirrored in other communities, said Miller.

“Uncertainty over buying a house weighs on them and homelessness is a factor.”

For St. Thomas, the survey showed 57 per cent of respondents found quality of life “very good” and 38 per cent said it was average. In 2021 that score was 65 per cent.

The telephone survey, done early in August, found 21.6 per cent of respondents cited homelessness and support for low-income persons as a top fix for bettering life in London.

“It’s the hot topic now with all three levels of government.” Miller said.

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“St. Thomas has done a fantastic job with that problem; they hit the ground running and wanted to nip that problem in the bud. London has taken a major step forward with homeless hubs.”

Improving roads and infrastructure in London came in second at 19.1 per cent and improving public transit was 10.6 per cent with providing more affordable homes at 9.4 per cent. The results for St. Thomas were similar.

After that, better construction management, more green space, improving the downtown, municipal government and law enforcement, followed in the single digits.

Only 44 per cent of respondents cited London as a “very good” place to raise a family and an equal number said it was average, with nine per cent suggesting it was poor.

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In St. Thomas 64 per cent found it a “very good” place to raise a family and 31 per cent said it was average with four per cent saying it was a poor choice.

In London 44 per cent of survey respondents believed real estate will increase in value in the city while 39 per cent said it will stay the same and 12 per cent said it will decrease.

In St. Thomas, 42 per cent believed it real estate values ​​with increase and an equal percentage predicted it will stay the same, while 12 per cent saw prices dropping.

Miller believes the market will hinge on whether interest rates increase. An announcement is expected in the last week of October.

“If it is zero (no increase), it would show stability and that would help. But an increase will cool the market. We are in a big hold right now.”

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Still, he is optimistic 2024 will see sales increase as demand is high and would-be buyers are waiting.

“The market is the coolest it has been in 10 to 15 years. There is a lot of inventory,” said Miller. “I think 2024 will be something of a rebound, there is supply and the demand is there.”

The survey also concluded that 67 per cent of London respondents and 71 per cent of St. Thomas respondents supported converting commercial buildings to residential. Both communities also supported rent-to-own housing with more than 50 per cent saying they liked the idea.

The telephone survey was conducted between Aug. 2 and Aug. 5 with 411 residents in London and 306 in St. Thomas were called. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.8 per cent.

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Other survey results for London include:

Quality of health care: 42 per cent said very good and 41 per cent said average and 16 per cent believe it is poor.

As a safe place to live: 35 per cent said very good, 53 per cent average and 10 per cent said poor.

As a place to do business: 25 per cent very good, 54 per cent average and 10 per cent poor.

Taking transit: 18 per cent very good, 50 per cent average and 21 per cent poor.

Buying a home: 5 per cent very good, 49 per cent average and 43 per cent, poor.

Other survey results for St. Thomas include

Quality of health care: 59 per cent said very good and 34 per cent said average and 5 per cent believe it is poor.

As a safe place to live: 50 per cent said very good, 45 per cent average and 5 per cent said poor.

As a place to do business: 33 per cent very good, 55 per cent average and 6 per cent poor.

Taking transit: 10 per cent very good, 45 per cent average and 26 per cent poor.

Buying a home: 20 per cent very good, 58 per cent average and 19 per cent, poor.

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