The Best Areas in The UK for Expats Investing In Property

If you’re a British expat or non-UK national wondering where to buy UK property, you’re not alone and you’re not wrong to ask.

Whether you’re based in the UAE, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, investing from overseas can feel like trying to hit a dartboard in the dark. Thats why we help people with it all of the time.

So, let’s bring some light to the situation.

Here’s the honest truth: the “best” area really depends on your budget, your investment strategy, and your long-term goals.

• Want cash flow every month? That’s one list.

• Looking for capital growth over 10+ years? Different list.

• Need something close to an airport for occasional check-ins? Yet another filter.

  
  

But if you pushed me (and most of you do) here are some top UK areas for non-UK residents to consider, based on strong yields, good tenant demand, and realistic prices. And yes, we’ve included where to fly in and out of too.

Stoke-on-Trent: Great Central Location & High Yields

Average Property Price: ~£125,000

Yields: 7–10%

Airport Access: ~50 mins to Manchester Airport & Birmingham Airport or 1 hour 10 mins from Liverpool John Lennon Airport & East Midlands Airport.

If your strategy is monthly income and strong yields, Stoke is one of the most underrated goldmines in the UK. Low property prices and consistent rental demand from working tenants and students make this city a favourite among ROI-focused investors.

It’s ideal for investors looking to build a hands-off, cash-generating portfolio without breaking the bank. This is where we have invested ourselves for years, so we know the areas like the back of our hand.

Want to see if Stoke fits your numbers? Use our ROI Calculator. Or book a bespoke report on Stoke-on-Trent here.

Liverpool: High Yields with Big City Appeal

Average Property Price: ~£150,000

Yields: 6–8%

Airport Access: Liverpool John Lennon Airport or 50 minutes from Manchester Airport

Liverpool offers strong rental yields and a rapidly developing cityscape, especially in regeneration zones like Kensington and Toxteth.

It’s also home to a huge student population and growing professional class, meaning consistent demand for lets.

It’s a great pick for investors wanting good yields with big-city infrastructure—and easy airport access if you want to drop in now and again.

Want a bespoke & detailed report on Liverpool? Order one here.

Manchester: The “Safe Bet” Growth City

Average Property Price: ~£250,000 (but varies widely by area)

Yields: 5–7%

Airport Access: Manchester Airport or 50 minutes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Manchester is a northern powerhouse for a reason. Job growth, population growth, huge student demand, and regeneration mean prices are still climbing, and rental demand remains solid.

This is a good choice for investors who care about long-term capital growth, even if the initial yields are a bit lower than Stoke or Liverpool.

Not sure if it fits your goals? Read our Step-by-Step Guide for British Expats Buying UK Property or get a more detailed guide on Manchester here.

Burnley: The Budget-Friendly Gem

Average Property Price: ~£105,000

Yields: 7–9%

Airport Access: ~1 hour to Manchester Airport

Burnley often flies under the radar, but savvy investors know it's a high-yield, low-entry-cost market. It’s also benefiting from regeneration and commuter links into Manchester.

If you want to get into UK property for under £40k cash all-in, Burnley is well worth a look. Ideal for new expat investors who want to start small but profitable.

If you want more details on Burnley, including places to avoid, book a bespoke report here.

Blackburn: The Quiet Climber

Average Property Price: ~£125,000

Yields: 6–8%

Airport Access: ~50 mins to Manchester Airport

Blackburn is another overlooked market, with strong fundamentals: low prices, high demand for affordable rentals, and improving infrastructure. Like Burnley and Stoke, it’s ideal for hands-off investing with high ROI potential.

If you're planning to build a portfolio of smaller properties, Blackburn is a strong addition to the mix.

If Blackburn has caught your eye, go one level deeper with a bespoke location report before committing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Book one here.

So… Which Area Should You Choose?

Here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your ideal location depends on:

• Your budget

• Your risk tolerance

• Your investment timeline

• Whether you plan to visit the property or leave it fully managed

You should also consider diversifying across multiple locations, but don't spread too thinly.

Before investing hundreds of thousands of pounds into one of these locations, make sure you are 100% confident. This may mean outsourcing some external research to consultants like us, or going to visit the area yourself. Just please do not rush into location selection.

We do a full detailed, data driven, analysis for each of our clients before choosing the location they invest in. You can book yours here. This investment in your decision could save you over £100,000 in mistakes.

These considerations are exactly why we help expats build custom investment strategies, starting with your goals and working backward.

Need clarity on where to start? Book a free call here.

Who Are We?

We’re Expat Property Investments, and we help British expats and non-UK passport holders around the world, from Dubai to Zurich to Hong Kong, invest in UK property without the stress.

Here’s what we do for our clients:

• Find & source the property

• Run due diligence & legal checks

• Set up your UK company (if needed)

• Connect you to expat mortgage brokers & tax advisors

• Manage the property after purchase

  
  

We’re your UK boots on the ground, so you don’t have to be. Check out all of our services that we offer here.

If you want to learn more about how we can help you invest in UK property with our hands-off end-to-end bespoke investment service, book a call with me here.

Explore our other helpful articles:

• What Taxes Do Non-UK Residents Need to Pay When Buying UK Property?

• Step-by-Step Guide for British Expats & Non-UK Residents Buying UK Property

Final Thought: The best area in the UK to invest in as an non-UK resident? The one that makes sense for you. We can help you select one here.

But if you want help narrowing it down, and getting the best possible return, we’re here for you. Reach out anytime.