By Rory Poulter
First time buyers are flocking to cities in their droves, with demand up 16 per cent over the past decade, while coastal towns are being snubbed. The dramatic shift has seen Scotland’s trendiest city, Dundee, top the list with a staggering 176 per cent surge in first-time buyer demand since 2015, according to property giant Rightmove. The port city on the banks of the River Tay emerged as a magnet for young buyers, thanks to a boom in regeneration, affordable house prices and a vibrant cultural scene. Estate agent Kyle Anderson, managing director of McIntyre Properties, 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. “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’s rise is the most eye-catching, Edinburgh came second with a 91 per cent leap in first-time buyer demand, followed by Doncaster (74 per cent), Liverpool (73 per cent) and Plymouth (71 per cent). By contrast, demand in London, where average property prices remain out of reach for many, fell seven per cent over the same period. Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock 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. “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.” The trend marks a reversal of the pandemic-era desire for a life by the sea. In 2020, buyers scrambled to snap up homes in seaside hotspots like Port Isaac in Cornwall and Canford Cliffs in Dorset. But a decade on, first-time buyer interest in Britain’s 50 most popular coastal areas has barely moved. Mary Lou-Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, said the appeal of cities was growing as London remained out of reach. She added: “Coastal locations can offer a slower and more picturesque quality of life… but 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.” The analysis covered enquiries made between January and May this year compared to the same period in 2015, focusing on typical first-time buyer properties (homes with up to two bedrooms). It found: Location – Change in demand Dundee +176 per cent Edinburgh +91 per cent Doncaster +74 per cent Liverpool +73 per cent Plymouth +71 per cent Glasgow +65 per cent Preston +63 per cent Winchester +51 per cent Newcastle upon Tyne +38 per cent Newport, South Wales +29 per cent Despite rising house prices – up 41 per cent on average across both cities and coastal areas in the past decade – cities are still proving more accessible for those taking their first step onto the property ladder. And for Dundee, with average first-time buyer prices under £121,000, the city is fast becoming Britain’s most desirable urban hotspot – leaving its sleepy seaside rivals trailing behind.