First-time buyer demand in cities soars – with one trendy Scottish city seeing a

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…