The UK housing market is experiencing strong demand with house prices rising and sales activity exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Robert Gardner, chief economist at Nationwide said: “The pandemic had a significant impact on housing demand during 2021 and 2022, with a shift in preferences towards more rural areas, particularly amongst older age groups.”

While competition for rental properties remains strong, there's also an increase in new homes available for sale, which could further boost sales activity. Experts at Rightmove analysed the 50 highest-populated cities in the UK to see where first-time buyers are looking to the most in 2025 - here’s what they found.

The city of Glasgow topped the list as the UK’s most in-demand city, with an average asking price of just below £149,000 on two bed or less homes.

Glasgow is a popular place to live in due to a number of reasons, one being their affordable cost of living, making it attractive to young professionals, families and students.

Their economy is incredibly diverse with growing sectors in finance, technology, creative industries, and ongoing regeneration projects in infrastructure also help contribute to the city’s appeal.

The city also boasts a thriving arts and music scene, with numerous venues, festivals, and cultural attractions, making it an exciting place to live. Their mix of urban and natural environments, including numerous parks, green spaces and proximity with the Scottish highlands, provides the perfect balance for its residents.

Research found that there was a trend in first-time buyers looking for homes in northern cities, with five of the top 10 locations situated in the north of England.

This trend can be explained by the fact that property prices in the North are considerably lower than in the South, making it easier for them to get on the property ladder.

Another huge factor is that cities such as Manchester for example, are experiencing huge economic growth, particularly in technology and media sectors, which is creating new job opportunities and attracting buyers.