Why younger homeowners are rethinking what it means to settle down

For decades, the “forever home” was the ultimate goal – the house you’d grow old in, fill with memories and never want to leave. But a new study from Zoopla suggests that idea is slipping away. Today’s younger homeowners are more flexible, more mobile and more financially minded. They’re not chasing a dream home for life – they’re choosing what works right now.

A moveable dream

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of homeowners aged 18–34 say the concept of a forever home simply doesn’t carry the same weight it once did. In fact, almost half (45%) expect to move again within the next five years.

Rather than seeing their home as an endpoint, they see it as part of an ongoing journey. Many are motivated by location – a third want to be closer to family or swap busy city living for somewhere with more space. Others are chasing affordability, looking for lower mortgages or smaller bills. Whatever the reason, permanence is out and practicality is in.

Home as project, not perfection

Younger buyers are also far more focused on potential than polish. A striking 82% of 18–34-year-olds say future renovation opportunities are a top priority, compared with just over half of those aged 35–54. They’re happy to buy somewhere that needs work if it means they can make it their own.

For this group, the ideal home isn’t about ticking boxes – it’s about what can be done with it. A tired kitchen can be transformed, a spare room can become an office, and an unloved garden can evolve into outdoor living space. The “Right Now Home” is one that can grow and adapt alongside its owner.

That doesn’t mean everyone’s rushing for a hammer. While plenty plan to renovate, 39% of homeowners believe moving to a new property is often more cost-effective than remortgaging to fund major building work. With higher interest rates and construction costs, for many it’s simply cheaper to relocate than extend.

The financial mindset

The research also reveals a significant shift in how younger owners think about property. While most people still describe their home as a place to build a life, nearly a quarter (23%) of younger homeowners also see it as a financial asset – more than three times the national average.

It’s a pragmatic approach. Rising costs and changing careers mean this generation is thinking strategically about housing. They’re using property to build wealth, fund their next move and secure long-term flexibility. The home isn’t a full stop – it’s a stepping stone.

When “forever” becomes flexible

Across all age groups, around 30% of British homeowners say they haven’t yet found their forever home. In regions such as the South East and East Midlands, that figure rises to more than a third. It’s a clear sign that the traditional housing journey – buying one property for life – is being replaced by something more dynamic.

Homeownership today is less about permanence and more about possibility. The typical owner expects to move several times, shaping their housing choices around work, family and financial opportunity. The modern ideal is to find a home that fits this stage of life, not every stage.

A new kind of homeownership

Far from being a loss, this flexibility might be a gain. The “Right Now Home” reflects how people actually live – adaptable, forward-looking and realistic about cost. Whether that means renovating a first flat, moving to a cheaper area or trading up when the time’s right, homeowners are taking control of their journey instead of being tied to one vision of “forever.”

Because in today’s market, the smartest home isn’t necessarily the one you stay in forever – it’s the one that works for you today and helps you get wherever you want to go next.