Britain’s best areas for downsizing: East Suffolk, Scotland, Milton Keynes, and Southend-on-Sea
With downsizing your property unlocking an average of £18,800, we reveal the best regions for those looking to move into a more modest home.
Once your kids have flown the nest and retirement kicks in, moving to a smaller property is often a sensible choice – saving space and freeing up cash.
While many of us think of the Cotswolds, Bournemouth and Devon as traditional destinations for older buyers, it seems that many Brits are now considering alternative locations.
According to research from estate agents Hamptons reported in This Is Money, East Suffolk, Peterborough and Milton Keynes are now favourites for downsizers.
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How much could you save?
Homeowners moving into a smaller property typically free up £18,800, the researchers found.
On average, they’ll need to fork out £359,400 for a new property.
The experts defined ‘downsizing’ as giving up at least one bedroom.
Residents in Scotland winning big
Overall, Dundee is the cheapest city included in the research, with a couple usually paying just £114,800 to downsize.
They'll also release an average of £74,500 on their home.
Likewise, those scaling down in Renfrewshire could bag up to £88,200.
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The best regions for downsizers
So, where can you bag the biggest bargain when moving to a smaller property?
Here are some of the highlights from the data.
1. East Suffolk
East Suffolk* is currently the best-value location for homeowners looking to downsize.
According to the data, scaling down in this region could release an average of £142,100.
Overall, downsizers make up a whopping 48% of buyers – by far, the highest of any region on our list.
According to the findings, buyers spend an average of £213,400.
*An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Battle of Hastings was in East Suffolk
2. Denbighshire
Located in North East Wales, the county is famous for castles, museums and beautiful countryside.
The region also includes two seaside resorts (Rhyl and Prestatyn), as well as the market town of Denbigh.
According to the research, 44% of all new property purchases in the past year were made by downsizers.
A typical downsizer spends £183,200, and releases £63,700 in equity, with three-bedroom bungalows in Rhyl typically selling for £190,000.
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3. Stirling
Nestled in central Scotland, this city is just 26 miles from Glasgow and 36 miles from Edinburgh.
As another claim to fame, the region has a castle with a Royal Palace and a monument commemorating William Wallace, including his battle sword.
With an average spend of £195,600 and equity release of £96,400, downsizers make up 43% of new homeowners.
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4. Arun
With average equity releases of £189,900, Arun in West Sussex could be a great choice for those looking to downsize.
Some 43% of sales come from downsizers, with a typical spend of £264,800.
It is also a popular destination for kayaking and boating along its picturesque beaches.
5. Oadby and Wigston
As a historic market town in Leicestershire, Oadby and Wigston is famed for Stilton cheese, pork pies and sheep.
With a typical spend of £255,600, downsizers release an average of £92,900 and make up 43% of the population.
The top 20 locations for downsizers
|
Rank |
Region |
Downsizers as share of movers |
Average spend |
Average equity released |
|
1 |
East Suffolk |
48% |
£213,400 |
£142,100 |
|
2 |
Denbighshire |
44% |
£183,200 |
£63,700 |
|
3 |
Stirling |
43% |
£195,600 |
£96,400 |
|
4 |
Arun |
43% |
£264,600 |
£189,900 |
|
5 |
Oadby and Wigston |
42% |
£255,600 |
£92,900 |
|
6 |
Inverclyde |
41% |
£163,500 |
£77,300 |
|
7 |
Bassetlaw |
40% |
£247,000 |
£190,000 |
|
8 |
Dundee City |
40% |
£114,800 |
£74,500 |
|
9 |
Shropshire |
40% |
£197,500 |
£27,500 |
|
10 |
Broadland |
40% |
£235,300 |
£184,200 |
|
11 |
North Ayrshire |
39% |
£137,800 |
£82,300 |
|
12 |
Peterborough |
39% |
£187,700 |
£217,300 |
|
13 |
Northampton |
39% |
£274,400 |
£97,600 |
|
14 |
Clackmannanshire |
38% |
£153,200 |
£86,100 |
|
15 |
Crawley |
37% |
£284,900 |
£231,800 |
|
16 |
Milton Keynes |
36% |
£282,700 |
£230,600 |
|
17 |
Renfrewshire |
35% |
£125,900 |
£88,200 |
|
18 |
Southend-on-Sea |
35% |
£348,000 |
£135,600 |
|
19 |
Maldon |
34% |
£308,000 |
£166,800 |
|
20 |
South Northamptonshire |
34% |
£388,800 |
£245,900 |
Source: This is Money/Hamptons
Factor in Stamp Duty
As of the 2025/26 year, the Stamp Duty threshold has dropped from £250,000 to £125,000 – this is the tax buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay when purchasing a property above a certain value.
This means it's even more important for downsizers to focus on affordable regions.
If you’re concerned about your Stamp Duty bill, you can use this calculator on the Money Helper website to determine how much you’ll pay.
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