Londoners are on the move: where’s your next home?

The UK’s been adjusting to a ‘new normal’ and we’ve all discovered some important lockdown lessons along the way. For many London-dwellers the surprising feasibility of working from home is a big one – along with the joys of a decent garden. If your quarantine experience has you rethinking your London pad, you’re not alone...

The property market has always seen a modest exodus of ‘London leavers’, but midlife couples looking to downsize are now being eclipsed by a new generation. A growing number of thirtysomethings are all looking further afield – especially since working remotely has proven itself such a thoroughly practical reality.

In fact, the age of buyers looking to leave London is falling just as fast as their numbers are rising. Today, the average London leaver is just 39 years old, down from 49 a decade ago. Last year, 73,000 Londoners upped sticks to find a home outside the capital. And as the property market picks up again, the key question for all this year’s wannabe out-of-towners is – where should we be headed (and where’s got decent broadband)?

Our recent report reveals that many of the most popular areas for relocation combine the best of both worlds – far enough from London to get more for your money, but near enough to pop back to town for the occasional meeting or night out. While London leavers are looking for a better quality of life for themselves and their families all across the UK, the South seems to be the favoured choice, with nearly 1 in 5 London-based applicants registering with our Southern offices in May.

See for yourself where London leavers are moving to in our infographic:

Of course, the more popular the destination, the higher the price – but there are gems to be found that offer both high living standards and ample local culture. Our top three locations in the South combine modern infrastructure and quick links to London with the beauty of rural England and maximum bang for your buck. Get the best of both worlds with these alternatives to the capital: