Moving out of London: 5 great locations to buy a home outside the capital

Tired of city life? Maybe it's time for a move. More and more people are leaving the capital for other areas and regions around the UK for the opportunity to buy a home or upsize their property. Let's take a look at the reasons why people are moving out of London, and some of the great destinations that are drawing people away from the capital.

Are people moving out of London?

Yes, more people are leaving London because of concerns about the affordability of homes in the capital. Many people are simply unable to buy a property in the city or are unconvinced by what they can afford in London compared to what’s on offer in the rest of the country. 

But reasons for a change aren't always related to buying a home. There are multiple reasons that people might choose to move out of London, including:

• Finding a better fit for their lifestyle - if you’re yearning for the countryside or seaside, or want to be part of a small, tight-knit community, you might be looking to live outside of London.
• Be closer to friends or family - there’s nothing more important than friends and family, and many people move to be closer to them. 
• Work - London is often called a city of opportunity, but businesses moving, transfers to other offices or opportunities in sectors concentrated elsewhere also see large numbers of people moving away.
• A change -time for a new adventure? There’s a whole world to discover, and many people choose another city or area to move to for new experiences

Whatever the reason, most people will be able to benefit from the cheaper house prices that come with a move out of London. This could be the perfect opportunity for you, whether you’re taking the big step from renting to buying or purchasing the house of your dreams.

Persimmon offers a range of buying schemes that open up home ownership to many more people and can put your perfect home within reach.

Pros and cons of moving out of London

It's one of the world’s greatest cities, and there are plenty of benefits to living there. But, depending on your personal situation, you might find that the pros of moving away outweigh the cons. 

Pros

• Affordable property: By any metric, London is the most expensive place to buy a house in the UK. Homes are expensive, and it can prevent you from getting on the property ladder or finding a home that’s big enough for your needs. Properties elsewhere tend to be cheaper, and our range of schemes will also help you maximise your budget.
• Work-life balance: Living away from your work location can help you strike a better work-life balance. If you’re able to work from home or are only required in the office on certain days each week, you can make use of the time that would have been spent commuting to stay on top of life admin that would have been crammed into the weekends or get out into nature after closing your laptop.
• More relaxing pace: While the UK isn’t divided into London and not London, and you can find equally vibrant places outside the capital, it’s far easier to find a quieter pace of life outside.
• Quality of life: Moving out of the city can improve your quality of life. You may have to deal with less pollution, less traffic and you could have a beach or open countryside on your doorstep.

Cons

• Commuting: While the ability to commute can improve your work-life balance, it’s worth considering how frequently you’ll need to, the cost and the time it takes. Commuting hours every day will get old very quickly and can be expensive, so it’s important to bear this in mind when searching for where to live. 
• Moving away from friends and family: If you’ve built a life in the capital, moving away can feel like a wrench. However, with great transport links and the improvements in video calling technology, it’s easier than ever to keep in touch.
• Fewer amenities: Few places can rival London for the number of amenities available on your doorstep. While there may be an adjustment period after leaving the city, there are countless locations outside the capital where everything you need is within easy reach.
• It’s not what you want: London is one of the most loved cities in the world and, understandably, many people want to live there. If your heart is set on London, leaving might not be the right choice. 

Ultimately, whether the pros outweigh the cons depends on you. Deep down, you’ll know if you’re ready to leave. It’s normal to feel uncertain and anxious about such a large change in your life. But moving out of London is also extremely exciting, especially when you’re purchasing a new home and with so many amazing places to choose from.

5 top locations to move to from the capital

When looking for places to live outside London, you’re spoiled for choice. Whether you’re looking for a change of scenery in another vibrant city or a forever home in the countryside, you can find the perfect location to put down roots. Persimmon has developments all over the country, in some of the UK’s most desirable locations.

Below, we take a look in more detail at some of the most popular locations for people moving out of the capital and explore what makes them so popular with homebuyers.

Moving from London to Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is the most visited city in the UK by tourists after London, and it’s no surprise it’s so popular. With gorgeous architecture, the famous Edinburgh Festival, as well as countless other events throughout the year, and stunning scenery within easy reach, there’s something for everyone.

Find your new home in our developments at The Willows or Burgh Gate.

Moving to York

York is an ancient city with a history stretching back all the way to the Romans. With cobbled streets and the winding, narrow Shambles shopping streets, it’s a picturesque location with all the amenities of a modern city. 

We have a range of new homes currently available in and around the city, like our developments in Bootham Crescent, Germany Beck in Fulford, or Staynor Hall in nearby Selby.

Other popular choices

With such a variety of different locations, each one offering something different to homebuyers, it can be hard to choose where to go. The five locations we’ve shared above are some of the most popular, but there are many great regions and cities to discover.

Essex: A very practical option for those who need to regularly travel to London, or want to retain close ties to the city, Essex is a top choice for homebuyers moving out of the capital. From options like Harlow, which has a direct train line that gets you into Liverpool Street in less than thirty minutes, to coastal Clacton-on-Sea, which is still only ninety minutes by public transport. 

Kent: Kent is another great choice that offers both commuter towns and rural options. Kent is also known as The Garden of England for its orchards, hop gardens and open countryside. The county appeals to those looking for a more tranquil lifestyle, as well as those looking for vibrant locations like Maidstone and Dartford. 

Cardiff: Another capital city, Cardiff, has been attracting those leaving London with its mix of sea, city and countryside. With a distinct culture, more affordable property prices and easy access to some of the UK’s most impressive landscapes, it’s not difficult to see why many people are deciding to relocate here.

Cheltenham and the Cotswolds: Cheltenham is right on the edge of the Cotswolds, making it the perfect location to enjoy all that this Area Of Natural Beauty has to offer. The town is famous for its regency architecture, packed calendar of festivals and events and racecourse. It’s a practical choice for those needing to commute into a city, as it has a direct train link and good connections to Bristol and Birmingham. Your new home could be waiting in our Regents Village development.