The share of leavers buying outside London is now at its lowest in over a decade, according to research from Hamptons.
In the first seven months of 2025, Londoners bought 5.3% of all homes sold outside the capital, down from 8.2% in 2022 and below the pre-pandemic average of 5.9%.
This equals 31,620 homes, half the number seen in the same period in 2021.
Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, said: “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.
“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.”
Over the past five years, property values outside London have grown by 26%, compared to just 8% in London and only 2% in Inner London.
Beveridge added: “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. 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.”
In 2021, 37% of Inner London leavers moved beyond the South East or East of England, compared to 28% of Outer London movers.
By 2025, 31% of all London leavers moved further out.
In 2015, Broxbourne, Sevenoaks and Welwyn Hatfield were the most popular.
In 2025, more affordable areas like Thurrock, Hertsmere and Basildon are now among the top choices.
So far this year, Londoners made up more than half of buyers in five local authorities, down from seven in 2015 and 2020.
Dartford, Epping Forest and Tandridge are still in demand while cheaper locations have become more popular.
The number of homes bought by Londoners outside the capital in England and Wales rose 7% compared to last year, but it is still half the 2021 figure.
The current levels match those from over a decade ago, before the pandemic.
Inner Londoners now make up 30% of those leaving, up from 25% 10 years ago.
Beveridge said: “This suggests that while fewer are leaving, those who do are increasingly being pushed by affordability constraints rather than being pulled by lifestyle aspirations.”
