Londoners are now opting to stay in the city rather than leave for the country
The pandemic-era rush to leave London in search of space and greenery is now firmly in the rear-view mirror, new data from property firm Hamptons shows.
In 2025, the share of Londoners buying homes outside the capital has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade. While people are still moving, the pace has slowed considerably – reflecting a shift in priorities, working patterns, and affordability pressures.
So far this year, Londoners bought just 5.3% of all homes sold outside the capital – down from a pandemic-era peak of 8.2% in 2022, and even below the pre-Covid average of 5.9%.
In raw terms, that’s 31,620 homes purchased beyond the M25 in the first seven months of 2025 – half the number recorded during the same period in 2021.
While this might suggest a cooling appetite for greener pastures, the reality is more nuanced, Hamptons said.
Return-to-office
“The return to office-based working has certainly played a role in keeping more Londoners rooted. But the bigger story lies in the capital’s sluggish price growth,” Hamptons said.
Over the past five years, property values outside London have risen by 26%—more than triple the 8% increase seen in the capital. In Inner London, prices have barely budged, up just 2%.
“This divergence has eroded the equity advantage that once fuelled long-distance moves. For many would-be leavers, the maths no longer add up,” the group said.
Shrinking space
Another factor is the shrinking space and value for money.
“Back in 2016, selling up in Inner London could almost triple your living space elsewhere in the country. Today, that same move nets you 32% less space – around 553 fewer square feet, or the equivalent of two double bedrooms,” Hamptons said.
“Even so, the typical household selling in Inner London for £655,580 this year could afford to more than double the size of their property by leaving the M25 – gaining 121% or 1,178 extra square feet of space. The dream of doubling the size of your home still exists, but it’s no longer a given.”
The data shows that outer Londoners have fared slightly better, with their purchasing power holding up more robustly. But even here, the space gain has slipped from 72% in 2016 to 55% today.
This is largely because house price movements in Outer London have more closely tracked those outside the capital, preserving more of their relative purchasing power.
Post-pandemic lifestyle
Arguably, the biggest change is the shift to a more realistic post-pandemic lifestyle.
The pandemic saw a surge in lifestyle-led moves – Cornwall, the Cotswolds, or coastal escapes were all popular destinations. But 2025’s movers are more pragmatic, Hamptons said.
Inner London leavers, once the most likely to venture beyond the traditional commuter belt to other prime spots, are now just as likely to stay within the South East or East of England commuter belt as their Outer London counterparts.
Back in 2021, 37% of Inner London leavers purchased homes outside these two regions, compared to just 28% of Outer London movers, who were more likely to remain within reach of the capital.
This year, 31% of all London leavers moved beyond the South East or East of England. Weaker price growth in central London has limited equity gains, meaning many Inner London homeowners appear focused on retaining links to the capital, while still aiming to maximise value for money.
