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Dundee has been named the best city in the UK for first-time buyers


Dundee has been revealed as the top city in the UK for first-time buyers, thanks to a dramatic rise in demand and relatively affordable house prices.


According to a new report by property website Rightmove, demand from those looking to get on the housing ladder in Dundee has soared by 176% over the last decade - the biggest increase of any UK city.


The findings highlight a shift in homebuying trends. While many people once dreamed of moving to the coast or countryside after the pandemic, the appeal of cities has come back stronger than ever.


Rightmove’s analysis, which compared buyer inquiries from the first five months of 2015 with the same period in 2025, found that interest in urban areas from first-time buyers is up 16% on average across Britain. Dundee is leading that resurgence.


Dundee is now attracting more attention than ever, not only for its lively arts and culture scene but also for its green spaces and affordability.


Sitting along the River Tay, the city is known for being one of the sunniest in Scotland and is said to offer more urban green space per person than anywhere else in the UK.


One of the biggest factors drawing in first-time buyers is price. Recent government data shows that in April, the average property bought by a first-time buyer in Dundee cost just under £121,000 – significantly lower than the national average and well below the £156,800 figure for Scotland overall.


Rightmove’s data focused on the types of homes most suited to first-time buyers – typically one- or two-bedroom properties.


The report compared 50 of Britain’s largest cities (excluding London) with 50 popular coastal locations. While Edinburgh ranked second on the list, English cities like Doncaster, Liverpool, and Plymouth also saw strong growth.


In contrast, interest in many popular seaside spots has remained flat compared to a decade ago, and London saw a 7% drop in demand from first-time buyers, largely due to unaffordable house prices.


Dundee’s rise as a top destination for new homeowners is further proof that the city is thriving – combining opportunity, culture, and affordability in one appealing package.

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