Whether you’re looking for more for your money or want to build a life outside London, we explore the best places to buy 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.
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:
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.
Whether you should move out of London or not depends on your individual circumstances. Things like family ties, work commitments and whether you can find what you’re looking for outside the capital all play a part in the decision to leave the city.
However, with many jobs now having an element of remote working, and frequent, fast transport connections from many parts of the country, it’s arguably never been easier to move out. If you’re looking to buy a home, moving out of London can be a great decision, allowing you to get your foot on the property ladder or secure your dream house sooner.
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.
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.
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.
There’s a reason Manchester is one of the top choices for people moving away. With a packed cultural calendar, a thriving music scene and a patchwork of neighbourhoods with their own identity, it offers many of the things that make London so great.
Excellent public transport links mean you can be connected to the city centre and London without the need to live there. This opens up picturesque surrounding areas like the Peak District with a new home in our development in College Hill Park in Buxton, providing you with a more tranquil way of life without sacrificing access to the city.
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.
For something completely different to London’s hectic pace of life, consider Cornwall. Home to some of the best beaches and countryside in the country, as well as thriving, arty communities, this could be the perfect spot for you when you’re ready to move on from the big city.
We have new homes available around the county in Falmouth, Helston, Liskeard and Newquay.
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.
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.
Choose your ideal location, explore our homes, and find a place you’ll love.
