[MargaretR]

Our high property prices means people can sell up, retire early, buy cheap property abroad, bank the money left over to subsidise casual/part-time work, and live in a better climate in a less overcrowded location.

They have been shown how by tv programmes about it.
I think it is maily southerners who are doing it, because there are more houses down there that will realise a quarter million or more.
Probably some have wished they hadn't, but can't come back because they would stand no chance of buying a house if they did and good property to rent is as rare as rocking horse s**t.

So the housing shortage is to blame (causing price rises)