IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Places
Describe a place you would like to live in the future
Describe a place you would like to live in the future
You should say:
- where this place is
- what it is like
- who you would live there with
and explain why you would like to live in this place.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
where this place is
Where: A small coastal town in the south of Portugal, near Faro.
- 2
what it is like
What: Warm weather, beautiful beaches, cobblestone streets, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- 3
who you would live there with
Who: My partner, and eventually a small family with a pet.
- 4
and explain why you would like to live in this place.
Why/Closing: To enjoy a healthier, slower pace of life away from city stress.
Sample answer
about 239 words · 2 minutesIf I could choose anywhere to live in the future, I would definitely opt for a small coastal town in the south of Portugal, somewhere in the Algarve region. It is a location I fell in love with after seeing pictures online, and it has been on my mind ever since. The town itself is absolutely picturesque. It features narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses with traditional tiles, and stunning cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The climate there is wonderfully warm and sunny for most of the year, which is a huge contrast to the grey and rainy weather I am used to. There is also a strong sense of community, where people take the time to greet each other in local cafes and markets. I would love to move there with my partner. We have often talked about settling down somewhere peaceful where we can raise children away from the chaos of a major city. Having a dog running around a garden near the beach sounds like an ideal life for us. The main reason I want to live in this place is the quality of life it offers. Nowadays, my routine is quite fast-paced and stressful, so relocating to a coastal town would allow me to adopt a much healthier, slower pace of life. Ultimately, living by the ocean has always been a personal dream of mine, and I think it would bring me genuine peace of mind.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
opt for
When ordering food, I usually opt for the healthier option.
on my mind
That trip to Japan has been on my mind all week.
sense of community
Small villages often have a stronger sense of community than large cities.
settle down
They plan to settle down after travelling around the world for a year.
pace of life
Moving to the countryside forced us to adjust to a slower pace of life.
Common mistakes
I want to live in here in the future.
I want to live here in the future.
The word 'here' is an adverb of place, so prepositions like 'in' are unnecessary.
I will live there if I will have enough money.
I will live there if I have enough money.
In conditional clauses referring to the future, use the present simple tense after 'if'.
This place has many peaceful nature.
This place has a lot of peaceful scenery.
'Nature' is uncountable and cannot be used with 'many'.
Tips for a higher band
- Use conditional structures such as 'If I could...' or 'I would love to...' to demonstrate flexible grammar when discussing future plans.
- Incorporate descriptive adjectives like 'picturesque' or 'fast-paced' to show range in topic vocabulary rather than repeating basic words.
- Maintain natural pauses and stress content words to sound like you are sharing a genuine personal thought rather than reciting a script.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Why do many young people prefer living in big cities rather than rural areas?
- What challenges might people face when moving to a completely new city or country?
- Do you think government policies should encourage people to move out of overcrowded urban centres?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.