Surge in Suburban Moves as Leicester Residents Favour Oadby and Earl Shilton

Leicester’s suburbs have witnessed a significant increase in movers over the past year, with areas such as Oadby, Earl Shilton, and Blaby & Whetstone experiencing more than double the number of relocations compared to the previous year.

According to a survey conducted by Compare My Move, which included over 1,000 moves in the Leicester area, the trend indicates a marked shift in residential preferences. The data reveals that Oadby, Braunstone, Syston, Earl Shilton, and Blaby & Whetstone have all seen substantial year-on-year growth in mover numbers, while areas like Belgrave and the City Centre have experienced declines, alongside further reductions in Evington and Narborough.

This shift suggests that demand is increasingly leaning towards suburban and commuter-friendly locations rather than being concentrated in the city core. The survey compared movers from the past year to those surveyed in 2024, highlighting a clear trend towards more spacious living environments.

The top ten areas people are moving to in Leicester, along with their respective average house prices, monthly rents, and year-on-year changes in mover percentages, are as follows:

• 1. Oadby – Average House Price: £285,372, Average Monthly Rent: £1,033, Percentage of Movers: 22.4%, Year-on-Year Change: 131.4%
• 2. Braunstone – Average House Price: £251,581, Average Monthly Rent: £1,085, Percentage of Movers: 15.6%, Year-on-Year Change: 87.8%
• 3. Syston – Average House Price: £360,495, Average Monthly Rent: £1,118, Percentage of Movers: 12.7%, Year-on-Year Change: 85.1%
• 4. Earl Shilton – Average House Price: £296,651, Average Monthly Rent: £991, Percentage of Movers: 11.7%, Year-on-Year Change: 122.8%
• 5. Belgrave – Average House Price: £271,514, Average Monthly Rent: £1,091, Percentage of Movers: 9.6%, Year-on-Year Change: -43.8%
• 6. Blaby & Whetstone – Average House Price: £332,865, Average Monthly Rent: £1,117, Percentage of Movers: 8.9%, Year-on-Year Change: 140.0%
• 7. Evington – Average House Price: £270,544, Average Monthly Rent: £1,043, Percentage of Movers: 6.4%, Year-on-Year Change: -68.2%
• 8. City Centre – Average House Price: £129,261, Average Monthly Rent: £780, Percentage of Movers: 6.4%, Year-on-Year Change: -8.0%
• 9. Narborough – Average House Price: £304,490, Average Monthly Rent: N/A, Percentage of Movers: 4.0%, Year-on-Year Change: -55.2%
• 10. Groby – Average House Price: £303,383, Average Monthly Rent: N/A, Percentage of Movers: 2.4%, Year-on-Year Change: -3.7%

Data for this analysis was sourced from Compare My Move, Rightmove, and Property Data. Notably, Oadby, Earl Shilton, and Blaby & Whetstone all reported mover growth exceeding 100%. While Leicester overall saw a 12.1% increase in mover activity, the substantial rises in these suburbs indicate a growing preference for more spacious living options.

Suburban areas provide larger homes and a higher proportion of houses compared to flats or apartments, making them attractive to buyers. The top-performing locations also align with Leicester’s commuter geography, offering easier access to the ring road and connections to the M1 and A6. Areas like Syston, Oadby, Braunstone, and Whetstone benefit from straightforward public transport links into Leicester.

This trend underscores a clear preference among buyers for suburban locations that offer both space and convenient access to the city and surrounding areas, suggesting a structural shift in the housing market rather than a temporary fluctuation.