Rightmove search data points to a more affordable 'London pear' as buyers look beyond viral 'banana'

Rightmove data released this week shows the most in‑demand areas among active London buyers form what the property portal described as a more affordable "London pear," with many of the top search locations lying outside the swathe of neighbourhoods identified in a viral "London banana" map.

The Docklands leads Rightmove's ranking of the 10 most searched areas, with an average asking price of £551,551 — below Rightmove's London average of £666,983. Only two of the top 10 areas, Islington and Battersea, fall within the boundaries of the controversial banana diagram created by Tel Aviv‑based author Saul Sadka and widely circulated last week.

Rightmove said affordability is a key driver of the current search pattern. The portal's list of the most in‑demand locations and their average asking prices is: 1) Docklands £551,551; 2) Hackney £671,717; 3) Islington £818,293; 4) Sutton £496,748; 5) Walthamstow £534,159; 6) Orpington £593,478; 7) Romford £424,076; 8) Croydon £395,423; 9) Bromley £575,922; and 10) Battersea £992,370.

"While the viral banana map has captured imaginations, our recent data shows that buyers are drawn to areas outside its curve," Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, said. "Affordability is a key driver, with many of the most in‑demand locations offering better value than the London average. It’s a reminder that buyer interest doesn’t always follow the trend, it follows the opportunity."

Estate agents said the trend reflects broader shifts in how and when people buy. Matt Thompson, head of sales at Chestertons, said buyers now are more prepared to move further out if it means securing the type of home they want. "In the 20 years I have been in property, I don't think I have seen the London market as transient as it is now," he said. "People are looking for value, and they are willing to move out much further to get what they want."

Thompson and other agents pointed to the mix of factors encouraging searches in outer boroughs: more affordable prices, the desire for larger, family‑sized homes and improved local amenities. Many first‑time buyers in London are entering the market at a later age than previous generations; TSB has put the average age of first‑time buyers in the capital at 33. Agents say those buyers often aim for a home with space for a family from the outset, which pushes searches to suburbs with lower prices per square foot.

Dominic Agace, chief executive of Winkworth, said personal preferences shape where people consider living and that perceptions of what is most desirable can change. "The data is interesting but I think lots of people will disagree. It depends what you are looking for in your time in London," he said. Agace said east London neighbourhoods have become more appealing to younger residents because lower costs support a creative food and bar scene, while some west London qualities — architecture and garden streets — continue to attract others. "Rightmove's list may show the future ones to watch, offering good affordability and this is where many young people will be drawn to, creating the vibrancy these areas offer," he added.

Market pressures are also shaping buyer behaviour. Mortgage rates have risen substantially in recent years, increasing the cost of borrowing for new purchasers and those remortgaging. Agents say that higher financing costs make the search for value more pressing and encourage buyers to weigh location against the size and condition of a property.

Observers noted that the "London banana" concept has provoked strong reactions since Sadka published his diagram, which he said was based on house price and crime data by postcode sector. Some residents of neighbourhoods left outside the banana have disputed the characterization of their areas as less desirable. Rightmove's dataset, by contrast, reflects where active searchers are directing their enquiries now rather than an assessment of neighbourhood quality.

Analysts say the pattern of demand could have consequences for local markets if search interest translates into higher transaction volumes and price growth in outer boroughs. Improved transport links, changing work patterns and a shift in lifestyle preferences could make some currently cheaper neighbourhoods more sought after over time, narrowing price differentials with central areas.

For now, the Rightmove ranking highlights that many current London buyers prioritize reach and value over the prestige associated with the map's banana. Whether that produces a lasting geographic shift in prices and amenities will depend on how many searchers convert into buyers and how local supply and infrastructure respond.