The unlikely UK town with the most thriving housing market - properties from just 165k

An unlikely UK town boasts Britain's most thriving housing market, with 114 sales in August alone. This affordable large town in South London has excellent transport links into the capital and major airports, including Gatwick and Heathrow.

Offering a mix of urban living and open spaces, Croydon has the energy of living in the city, whilst having large parks giving the area a sense of tranquillity. Its busting town centre is full of restaurants, pubs, offices as well as art galleries and theatres. The area is becoming more and more popular with commuters as its ease of access is a key selling point.

Central London can be reached within 15-20 minutes by train. The town has undergone significant investment with large new apartment blocks now dominating the skyline, cafes and shops have arrived throughout the town.

It appears this regeneration is working as in August Croydon's CRO district was the busiest in the nation with 114 sales in August alone.

However, in the neighboring CR2 postcode district, there were just 44 sales in August, demonstrating a much less competitive market just a stone's throw from the nation's busiest pocket of the property market.

On Rightmove currently there is a one bedroom flat is situated within easy reach to Thornton Heath Station for just £165k.

Also on the market is a charming one-bedroom flat in the heart of a thriving sought after neighbourhood for just £170k.

The average property price in Croydon was around £405,000 in June 2025 with the average flats/maisonettes averaging £269,000. Meanwhile, the average UK property price was approximately £299,331 in August 2025.

Steve Foreman, founder and CEO of The Property DriveBuy, said: "This research offers a compelling snapshot of the UK property market as it stands today. What's particularly striking is the geography of the most active areas, with Croydon in South London leading the way, closely followed by locations such as Maidenhead and Waltham Forest.

"These are all areas known for their excellent commuter links, diverse housing stock, and ongoing investment in infrastructure and regeneration. However, there are pockets of heightened activity across the nation and this highlights both the regional differences and more granular postcode trends that drive property market performance."