Most of us are creatures of habit. Naturally, when considering a change of address, we tend to gravitate towards familiar territories—locales that we know and have an affinity for.

However, broadening the horizons of our search can open up a treasure trove of opportunities, potentially leading to more affordable housing or even a chance to upgrade to a larger property.

On average, a homebuyer in the UK looks for their next abode merely 3.9 miles away, a modest distance indeed, according to the latest stats from Zoopla. Remarkably, three out of every four individuals narrow their search to just one or two neighbourhoods.

Yet, this wasn’t always the case. Back in 2021, amid the heat of the pandemic, this figure stood at 4.4 miles. The pandemic saw a rise in people looking beyond their immediate surroundings, likely due to changing lifestyles and a competitive housing market. As house prices surged, moving a bit further away became an effective strategy for many to stay within their budget.

A brief rewind to the summer of 2019 shows buyers searching an average of only 3.7 miles away. The current slight increase in distance suggests that although there are more properties available now, giving buyers a greater choice, most are content looking closer to their existing homes.

Regional Property Searching Patterns

Interestingly, regional variations exist in the way UK citizens scout for their new homes.

Southern Stretch: In the East of England, half of the buyers have their eyes set on homes that are a minimum of 10 miles away. In the South East, 43% share this sentiment. This proclivity to look further afield might be due to a combination of local economic conditions, property availability, and property price points.

Northern Niche: Conversely, in the North of England and Midlands, the story takes a turn. A whopping 60% of the buyers there restrict their search within a 5-mile radius, which is significantly above the national average of 50%.

It’s intriguing to note that these regional trends closely resemble the patterns observed before the pandemic. This suggests that for many southern buyers, distance plays an inherent role in their moving decisions.

The pandemic period did throw in a twist. Amidst the buzz about a mass exodus from London during the Covid-19 home-moving surge, data reveals a nuanced picture. Indeed, there was a bump in London-based buyers (from 18% in 2019 to 24% in 2021) considering properties 20 miles or further away. Still, this doesn’t quite qualify as a “mass exodus.” Presently, a significant portion of Londoners—about one-third—are exploring homes that are at least 10 miles away. This shift might be due to housing unaffordability and the scarcity of houses in central London.

Here’s a breakdown of distances buyers from various regions are exploring:

• East of England: 8.9 miles (50% look beyond 10 miles)
• South East: 5.7 miles (43% look beyond 10 miles)
• Scotland: 4.7 miles (35% look beyond 10 miles)
• London: 4.6 miles (34% look beyond 10 miles) … [and so on]

City Seekers vs Rural Dwellers

For urbanites, especially those in cities like Manchester and London, the allure of certain property types like detached houses or bungalows often nudges them to expand their search perimeter. In Manchester, where a mere 1 in 27 listed properties is a detached house, buyers are willing to scan as far as 23 miles out. Similarly, Londoners on the hunt for detached houses typically set their sights on properties located an average of 11.5 miles away.

In Edinburgh, where a substantial 64% of properties are flats, those keen on houses usually extend their search to about 10 miles.

Advantages of Looking Beyond Your Backyard

Expanding one’s home search perimeter can have tangible benefits. For many, the act of moving is a juggle between finding an area with appropriately priced homes that suit personal preferences and lifestyle needs.

For individuals employed in the market services sector, often centered in big cities but allowing for remote work, there’s added flexibility to relocate further away. For some, job prospects might tether them closer to urban hubs.

Moreover, the type of dwelling you aspire to live in plays a pivotal role. City living often comes with limited options for larger houses. Conversely, rural regions might not offer a broad selection of flats. Therefore, a buyer may need to cast a wider net to snag their dream property.

Financial factors too come into play. If you’re stationed in a pricier region, venturing into more affordable territories might lead to getting more bang for your buck and potentially reducing monthly mortgage commitments.