Kidlington is one of 10 areas in the UK where city-leavers are buying property

With its easy access to London and the Midlands via Oxford Parkway train station, and public transport links to Central Oxford, Kidlington is now one of the top 5 areas in the UK where houses are bought by City leavers.  According to Hamptons, 50% of all property transactions completed.

Over the last 12 months close to 95,000 people have decided to move out of London over the last 12 months, up 16% on 2016, with 30% of leavers being between 20 and 29 years of age.

Many of these movers are cashing-in on the value of their City properties, and moving to more rural and cheaper locations.  With many using the move to change their work life balance, while others being motivated by ease of commuting links to where they have moved from.

Key attractions are a sense of community, period properties and access to good schools.  Many movers are shunning the traditional commuter towns where everyone is there for commuter convenience for authentic towns where people choose to live for a variety of reasons.

The slowing market in London presents a challenge for Kidlington and other popular places with City leavers.  There are currently 20% more homes for sale in London that at this time last year.  This is an example of how the Oxford market is affected by the Capital, and has contributed to the fall in transaction volumes across Oxford.

Many City leavers choose to rent initially in their chosen location, to enable them to make the move more quickly, confirm their preference and look for suitable properties to buy.  Around 5% end up reviewing their decision, moving back to the City they have left.  But, for the majority it reinforces their decision and enables them to find the right long-term home.

Recognising this source of demand is important when marketing your Kidlington property, which also remains popular with families struggling to trade-up to larger properties in Oxford itself.