The UK housing market and demand for houses in Stevenage didn’t just grow in 2024; we also saw a shift in gears in how people move. While there were more house moves overall, AnyVan, who helped with over 300,000 moves in 2024, has seen a notable increase in downsizing across the nation compared to 2023. Whether opting for something a little cosier or avoiding rising mortgage payments, these trends reveal a nation constantly moving.
AnyVan, the UK’s leading moving service, has analysed housing movement patterns to uncover the UK’s upsizing and downsizing hotspots for 2024. While downsizing has increased overall, plenty of areas bucked the trend. including people searching for their dream houses in Stevenage. So, which regions moved up the ladder and which chose to scale down? Here’s what the data reveals about the movers and shakers of 2024.
The UK Moves Up and Down: Housing Trends in 2024
2024 still saw more upsizing than downsizing across the UK, reflecting continued demand for larger homes as families grow and lifestyles change. However, while AnyVan’s data analysis revealed that 29% of all moves in 2024 involved upsizing, the number of people downsizing last year grew from 12% to 14% – showing more of an overall shift in this direction.
Stevenage Climbs to the Top: The UK’s Upsizing Capital
Stevenage claimed the top spot as the UK’s number one location for upsizing in 2024. With an impressive 40% of moves to houses in Stevenage involving an upgrade, it’s clear residents are reaching for an extra bedroom (or two). The most common shift? Moving from 2-bedroom homes into 3-bedroom properties in Stevenage, often to accommodate growing families or a need for home office space in Stevenage.
Top 10 Areas Upsizing (a clear winner for houses in Stevenage)
| Postal Area | % Upsized | Change from 2023 |
| Stevenage | 40% | +11% |
| Wigan | 36% | +8% |
| Redhill | 36% | +9% |
| Lincoln | 35% | +7% |
| Enfield | 35% | +6% |
| Sutton | 35% | +7% |
| Northampton | 34% | +8% |
| Huddersfield | 34% | +9% |
| Kirkcaldy | 34% | +6% |
| Hull | 34% | +10% |
Wolverhampton’s Cosy Crown: Downsizing Capital of 2024
On the flip side, Wolverhampton topped the downsizing charts in 2024. 21% of moves here saw residents swapping bigger homes for cosier, more manageable spaces. The most popular move was downsizing from 4-bedroom homes to 3-bedroom properties, suggesting a shift towards simplicity, lower bills, and fewer rooms to clean!
Top 10 Areas Downsizing
| Postal Area | % Downsized | Change from 2023 |
| Wolverhampton | 21% | +5% |
| East Central London | 20% | +4% |
| Swindon | 19% | +6% |
| Blackburn | 19% | +3% |
| Blackpool | 18% | +5% |
| Plymouth | 18% | +4% |
| Warrington | 17% | +6% |
| Walsall | 17% | +5% |
| Motherwell | 17% | +4% |
| Worcester | 17% | +6% |
Angus Elphinstone, owner of AnyVan, commented: “It’s been a tough few years for many homeowners but, with the market making a bit of a rebound last year, more people are back on the move, with different priorities to a few years ago. We’ve seen families in Stevenage stretching for that extra bedroom while people in Wolverhampton opt for smaller quarters. But whichever way you’re moving on the ladder, we’re proud that AnyVan has been chosen by so many to make it that bit easier.”
AnyVan was started by Angus in 2009 with the mission of halving the number of wasted miles travelled by vans, while making moving easy and affordable.
To see more removal information, including the cheapest days to move in Stevenage, visit https://www.anyvan.com/removals/removals-stevenage
