First-time buyers have been flocking to cities over the last decade, new data shows.
Across Britain’s 50 largest cities, demand among first-time buyers has risen by 16 per cent since 2015, Rightmove said.
This was at the expense of coastal towns, where the number of people looking to get on the property ladder flatlined thanks to soaring prices and poor connections.
However, Dundee in Scotland, a city with a coastal outlook, managed to buck the latter trend and saw the biggest spike in demand from first-time buyers in the last decade.
Rightmove’s analysis compared demand from first-time buyers between January to May 2025 against the same period in 2015.
Its figures suggest first-time buyer demand in Dundee surged by 176 per cent in the last decade.
In demand: There is strong demand in Dundee among first-time buyers
Dundee is Scotland’s fourth largest city, and has been undergoing a rejuvenation in recent years thanks in part to its thriving arts, design and food scenes.
It is home to the University of Dundee, the Law conservation site, the V&A Dundee and attractions like Broughty Castle. The city has various shopping centres and a myriad of restaurants and pubs.
Kyle Anderson, managing director of McIntyre Properties in Dundee, told This is Money: ‘This is a trend we have seen in recent years, given the level of investment and development in the city it has become a desirable place to live in many areas, but also remains relatively affordable compared to the rest of the country.
‘There are different types of first time buyers as in any location, but many opt for the West End, as there are many traditional flats in this area which are close to the city centre. Others may go for some of the readily available former local authority houses a little further from the city centre as they are well-sized for couples, small families at a very affordable price point.’
While Dundee took the top spot for first-time buyer growth, Edinburgh saw the second largest rise in demand in the period, climbing 91 per cent.
Doncaster came in third place, with a 74 per cent increase in demand from first-time purchasers.
Liverpool and Plymouth took fourth and fifth place, with demand from first-time buyers rising over 70 per cent in both cities.
Glasgow, Preston, Winchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Newport also performed strongly.
Only London failed to follow the city trend. Overall first-time buyer demand in London fell 7 per cent versus ten years ago, with higher asking prices a likely contributor., Rightmove said.
While most cities proved popular, on average, the number of future first-time buyers looking to move to popular coastal areas was ‘completely flat’ compared with ten years ago.
For many first-time buyers, proximity to work and public transport is key, as is affordability.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said: ‘We’ve seen a number of changes to the property market over the last ten years.
‘Perhaps most notably is during the pandemic, when many people temporarily left cities and looked to the coast or countryside.’
She added: ‘Comparing where we are now versus a decade ago, it looks like there’s even more appeal from potential first-time buyers to live in cities, though the data does show that it can vary quite widely from city to city, and it will also depend how first-time buyer friendly a particular location is in terms of the type of homes that are available for sale.
‘Coastal areas haven’t seen the same level of growth as cities from this type of buyer, and again it may be partly due to the availability of suitable homes in these areas for first-time buyers as well as affordability.’
Mary Lou-Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, said: ‘Coastal locations can offer a slower and more picturesque quality of life, compared to the vibrant fast-paced atmosphere of many cities.
‘The latter can be appealing for younger people due to greater economic opportunities, cultural attractions, and diverse amenities.
‘It’s likely we will continue to see a shift in first time buyer activity within city centres as London remains increasingly desirable yet unaffordable for many people stepping onto the property ladder for the first time.
‘This is likely pushing many to enter more affordable cities and it’s unsurprising that Scottish cities are placed firmly at the top, as these can offer a blend of career opportunities, landmarks, and access to green spaces, all at a lower cost than many other major UK cities.’
Four homes for sale in popular cities
This two-bedroom semi-detached house in Dundee is on sale via Remax Real Estate Centre for offers over £150,000.
The property is being sold with extension plans which have already been approved by the local council.
The property is spacious and light throughout and has a handy attic space accessed via stairs.
The house has a large back garden with a decking area.
Affordable: This two-bed house in Dundee is on sale for offers over £150,000
Vibrant: The house in Dundee has a vibrant kitchen with red tiles
Revamp: The Dundee home on offer comes with pre-approved plans for an extension
This two-bedroom flat in Edinburgh is on sale via Yopa for offers over £200,000.
The third-floor flat is in a traditional tenement building with a secure entry system.
The freehold flat spans 622 sq.ft. and is in an excellent location close to the city centre, making it ideal for first-time buyers.
Location: This two-bed flat in Edinburgh is situated in a cracking location close to amenities
Price: The two-bed flat in Edinburgh is listed with Yopa for offers over £200,000
Tradition: The third-floor flat is in a traditional tenement building with a secure entry system
This well-presented two-bedroom semi-detached house in Liverpool is on sale via Purplebricks for £159,150.
The house would suit first-time purchasers or those with a growing family.
The immaculate property spans around 792 sq. ft. and has a spacious front-facing living room. The ground floor also has a conservatory and utility room.
The property has paved low-maintenance gardens at both the front and back.
This is a house which has been well-loved and looked after by its owner.
Space: This spacious semi-detached house in Liverpool is on sale for £159,150
Immaculate: The house in Liverpool has been well-loved and is immaculate
Options: The property comes with an kitchen and dining area overlooking the garden
No stress: The Liverpool house has a low-maintenance garden to the rear and front
This two-bedroom semi-detached house in Doncaster is on sale via Whitegates for offers in the region of £155,000.
The house, spanning around 807 sq ft, is located in a popular residential area and benefits from off-street parking.
The property has a spacious living room, modern kitchen and a generous garden perfect for relaxing or entertaining in.
Impressive: This spacious two-bed house in Doncaster could be yours for £155,000
Ready to go: The kitchen in the Doncaster property is pristine and ready to use
Restful: The property in Doncaster spans more than 800 sq ft