The south-west is highly attractive to homebuyers, according to an association of estate agents in the region, offering both a wide choice of houses and a better quality of life. Southwest Property Network spokesman Rob McCabe argued that the area's popularity owed much to its diverse range of property, varying from country cottages to waterfront apartments, as well as to improving commuter links and a growing business community. He said that the south-west's perceived quality of life was another major factor, with its combination of beaches, forests and countryside holding a strong allure for retirees, but also for young, reasonably well-off families tired of city life.