People moving to Reading are increasingly choosing suburban areas and nearby villages over the town centre, according to new data.
Although Central Reading still attracts the largest share of movers, areas such as Caversham and Twyford recorded the strongest growth, with year-on-year increases of 42% and 51% respectively.
The figures come from a survey by Compare My Move of more than 1,100 people who moved to Reading in 2025. Central Reading accounted for 23.4% of all movers, putting it more than 10 percentage points ahead of second-placed Caversham.
Other areas seeing notable increases included West Reading, Goring & Streatley and Tilehurst.
The survey ranked the most popular locations for movers as:
– Central Reading – 23.4% (-4.4%)
– Caversham – 13.3% (+41.9%)
– Whitley – 12.5% (-11.9%)
– West Reading – 11.3% (+33.7%)
– Aldermaston – 10.0% (+28.7%)
– Earley – 7.4% (-2.4%)
– Twyford – 6.6% (+51.0%)
– Woodley – 5.7% (+3.2%)
– Goring & Streatley – 5.4% (+35.6%)
– Tilehurst – 4.4% (+25.0%)
The data was compiled using figures from Compare My Move, Rightmove and Property Data.
Demand shifting beyond the centre
While Central Reading remains the most popular destination, the proportion of movers choosing the town centre fell by 4.4% year-on-year.
At the same time, suburban and village locations saw stronger growth, despite generally higher property prices and rents. This suggests lifestyle factors may be driving demand rather than affordability alone.
Dave Sayce, founder and managing director of Compare My Move, said the appeal of areas such as Caversham and Twyford lies in their balance of convenience and community.
He said: “Caversham and Twyford are both known for having more of a village feel, while still being close to all the amenities of Central Reading.
“Twyford’s transport links have become a major selling point in recent years, especially with the Elizabeth line providing quick and easy access to both Reading and London, which is likely one of the reasons we’ve seen a 51% increase in movers over the past year.”
The findings reflect a broader trend of buyers seeking quieter neighbourhoods while maintaining easy access to transport links and town-centre amenities.
