The classic British dream of settling into a "forever home"—a place to raise a family and grow old—appears to be fading for younger generations, according to new research published on November 4, 2025. Instead, today’s under-35 homeowners are rewriting the rulebook on what homeownership means, favoring flexibility, affordability, and renovation potential over permanence and tradition.
This generational shift is backed by a comprehensive survey conducted by Opinium in October 2025, which polled 2,000 homeowners across the UK. The findings are striking: nearly two-thirds (63%) of homeowners aged 34 and under believe the aspiration of owning a "forever home" holds less importance than it did for their parents’ generation. That’s a dramatic departure from the long-held notion that the ultimate goal was to buy a property to live in for decades—perhaps even a lifetime.
What’s behind this change? According to the research, the answer is both economic and cultural. Decades of surging house prices have made it harder for young people to get onto the property ladder. Many now spend longer in the rental sector, often delaying their first home purchase until later in life. But that’s not the whole story. Modern lifestyles, marked by frequent job changes, the need for geographic mobility, and higher divorce rates, have also made the idea of settling in one place for the long haul less appealing—or even less practical.
“The dream of a forever home hasn’t disappeared, but its definition is being completely rewritten by younger generations,” explained Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, as quoted by The Independent. “They are acutely cost-conscious and view their property not as a shrine to permanence, but as a flexible asset that must align with their fast-changing lives.”
Across all age groups, the survey revealed that nearly a third (30%) of homeowners feel they have yet to find their forever home. This suggests that the elusive quest for the perfect, permanent residence is not just a young person’s dilemma, but one that resonates more widely—though it is felt most acutely by those at the start of their property journey.
Interestingly, the research also found that only 7% of homeowners across all age groups view their home purely as "a financial asset that should be leveraged when the market is right." However, among those aged 34 and under, that figure jumps to 23%. This highlights a more pragmatic, investment-minded approach among younger buyers, who are perhaps less sentimental about bricks and mortar than previous generations.
One of the most telling shifts in priorities is the emphasis on renovation potential. While nearly half (49%) of homeowners across all age groups said it is important to have the option to renovate their property, this figure soared to 82% among homeowners aged 34 and under. Even among those aged 35 to 54, 57% considered renovation potential important. Clearly, the ability to add value through improvements is a top concern for younger buyers—perhaps as a way to climb the property ladder more quickly or to adapt a home to changing needs.
Glynn Gibb, regional director at estate agents John D Wood & Co, offered his perspective to The Standard: “The idea of a forever home remains an appealing concept and will always have a certain romance to it, but for many buyers today, life simply moves too fast for permanence to be the goal. Rather than chasing the forever home, today’s buyers are focusing on finding the right home for this stage of their life—one that fits their current lifestyle, supports their ambitions for the next few years, and gives them the freedom to move when life calls for it. It’s a more realistic, empowering way to think about home ownership—and it’s an opportunity to keep reassessing what home means as life unfolds.”
This sentiment is echoed by Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, who told The Independent: “Younger buyers are prioritising flexibility, affordability and the potential to add value through renovation, rather than aiming for a single forever home. This mirrors the realities of today’s housing market, where changing job opportunities, lifestyle needs and financial pressures mean people are moving more frequently and viewing property ownership as both a stepping stone and an investment.”
Emerson went on to highlight what younger homeowners are seeking: “Many younger homeowners are looking for homes that can evolve with them, properties with renovation potential, access to good transport links, and strong local amenities. However, the market needs to continue to support mobility and affordability, ensuring people can make these transitions without being held back by supply shortages, high transaction costs or limited mortgage options.”
It’s not just a matter of personal preference—it’s a reflection of market pressures and societal change. As house prices have risen, the financial realities of homeownership have shifted. For many, the days of buying a first home in their twenties and staying put for decades are gone. Instead, today’s buyers are often looking for a property that works for the next few years, with an eye toward potential resale, renovation, or relocation as their life circumstances evolve.
That doesn’t mean the romance of the forever home is dead. As Gibb pointed out, the concept still has emotional resonance. But for most, it’s less about chasing a mythic ideal and more about making practical decisions that suit their current needs—and keeping their options open for the future.
The survey’s findings also underscore a broader trend: the redefinition of home as a dynamic, adaptable space rather than a static endpoint. For younger generations, homeownership is less a final destination and more a journey, with each property serving as a chapter rather than the whole story. This mindset is likely to shape the housing market for years to come, influencing everything from the types of properties in demand to the services estate agents and lenders provide.
As the housing market continues to evolve, experts agree that supporting mobility and affordability will be key. Policymakers, developers, and lenders will need to respond to these changing expectations—whether by increasing the supply of homes that can be easily renovated, reducing transaction costs, or offering more flexible mortgage products.
For now, one thing seems clear: for Britain’s younger homeowners, the idea of a forever home is no longer the holy grail. Instead, the focus has shifted to finding the right home for right now—one that can grow, change, or be traded up as life unfolds. It’s a pragmatic, sometimes restless approach, but one that reflects the realities of the modern world.
As the definition of homeownership continues to shift, the next generation is embracing change—one move, one renovation, and one stage of life at a time.
