Where’s the best place to purchase a buy-to-let in East Anglia?

Destinations within East Anglia are often featured in rundowns of the best places to live in the UK, with locations across its counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex ranking particularly highly.

With a mix of coast and countryside all there for the taking, as well as plenty of haunts for those who enjoy city life, the region appeals to people from all walks of life, and with varying needs and budgets. This includes students taking advantage of the many university options accessible in the East of England, families looking to grow in just the right place, and professionals laying down roots for the long and short term. It therefore comes as no surprise that would-be and established landlords see East Anglia as hot property.

As with any region however, some destinations offer more opportunities for buy-to-let returns than others. In this blog post, we share which locations appeal to which tenant types, so you can expand your portfolio with complete confidence.

For students

Student lets are extremely profitable, especially in certain parts of East Anglia. While Cambridge is an obvious area of investment for landlords looking to reap the rewards of these denser student populations, property for sale can be particularly pricey.

Chelmsford and Peterborough – both less than one hour away from London and within the immediate vicinity of several East Anglian university campuses – make great alternatives.

For young professionals

With its horse racing heritage, Newmarket certainly isn’t a dull place to live. Even if you’re not a frequent visitor to the town’s two racecourses, the abundance of bars, restaurants and shops in its centre, plus its surrounding countryside, will leave no shortage of things to do for solo tenants or those renting as couples.

With rental values £1,090 per month on average, and a diverse range of property types to choose from, landlords will be in heaven when investing in this East Anglian hotspot. The cosmopolitan cathedral city of Norwich in Norfolk is another contender for landlords looking to invest in properties and locations that young professionals love.

For families

Wivenhoe in Essex didn’t get the title as the best place to live in the East of England for nothing! This picturesque town is celebrated for its community, tradition and stunning riverside location, as well as its commuting times, independent retail scene and beautiful architecture. All these features make Wivenhoe a great destination for families, as well as landlords looking to snap up properties that appeal to them.

For a little more hustle and bustle, nearby Ingatestone – located within half an hour’s drive of Chelmsford – should be explored.

For retirees

If you have your heart set on renting to tenants who have just retired, heading to East Anglia’s many country idylls to find the perfect buy-to-let investment is what we’d recommend. Situated on the Essex-Suffolk border, Dedham Vale ticks all the right boxes, especially considering the low rental property stock and high demand.

This beautiful part of the world, and all the peace it brings, is appealing to tenants too as Countrylook explains:

“Here, the River Stour gently meanders through the countryside, framed by rolling hills and verdant fields. Walking along its banks, one can’t help but feel transported into a Constable masterpiece. Dedham Vale offers a myriad of footpaths and trails, ideal for those who seek tranquillity away from the bustling world. It’s a landscape that inspires not just artists but anyone with an appreciation for the serene beauty of the English countryside.”

Found the perfect place to invest? Move forward with your property search and buy-to-let purchase with our help. We have offices across East Anglia and Cheshire – including in Bury St Edmunds,Cambridge, Ely, King’s Lynn, London, Milton Keynes, Norwich and Peterborough – so a local mortgage advisor is never too far away.

Contact our experts today to discuss your buy-to-let mortgage options.