Why buy property in Eastbourne? UK buy-to-let investment by the sea

April 9, 2025

Eastbourne is the sunniest place in the UK and a magnet for tourists and day trippers, but it’s also much more than that. It’s a place people love to live and work thanks to the exceptional lifestyle on offer, remarkable connectivity, high-quality job opportunities and much more.

In other words, it is emerging as one of England’s emerging buy-to-let hotspots and investors need to be aware of the potential returns on offer in Eastbourne.

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A growing economy and a wealthy population

The East Sussex County Council area is centred around Eastbourne and has an annual GDP of more than £10bn. However, the real story is the speed of growth. Since 2012, the Council estimates that the local regional economy has grown by 51.6%.

That’s far higher than the growth seen in the UK’s most well-known buy-to-let hotspots like Manchester, Liverpool and London. That growth has seen the average spending power of residents in Eastbourne increase by 45.6% in the same time frame.

Looking ahead, the local Council estimates that an additional 9,400 jobs will be created in the town – creating the ideal conditions for property investors to buy at the beginning of the cycle and earn the highest possible returns when investing in Eastbourne property for sale.

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Growing population and slow building rates

Along with the creation of more than 9,000 jobs, the Council estimates that the town’s population will grow by 3,000 people in the next five years. That may not sound like a lot on its own, but considering the current population is just 100,000 currently, that is a lot of new people.

Additionally, the local housing plan runs to 2039 and most of the planned housing delivery will be towards the end of that period. Eastbourne is prioritising economic development first, meaning that there is likely to be a shortage of housing in the town for many years to come.

When you also consider Eastbourne’s enormous visitor economy, the picture gets even more favourable for investors.

The Eastbourne Corporate Plan shows that tourists bring over £400m to the town each year, and 81% of visitors require short-stay accommodation during their visit. That is a huge number of people and another potential revenue stream for investors looking to buy property in Eastbourne.

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Connected coastal lifestyle draws people from far and wide

Eastbourne is right in the heart of one of the most desirable locations in the UK. Nowhere in the country is sunnier, and the seaside lifestyle is extremely appealing no matter what stage you’re at in life.

The beach and the sea are at the centre of life in the town and offer an ideal place to relax, swim and undertake a range of water sports. The town centre is packed with shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. That’s in addition to other cultural and heritage sites to keep you occupied.

Even better, there are direct train links to Brighton and Hastings, two of the most popular destinations in the South of England. And if you want a trip to the capital for work, London Victoria, is approximately an hour and a half away. You can even get the train to mainland Europe by getting on the Eurostar at Ashford International.

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Why buy property in Eastbourne?

All of the above, plus a full range of town centre regeneration projects underway makes Eastbourne a great place to buy investment property. It has everything that an investor needs:

Increasing population
Economic growth, job growth, wage growth
Excellent connectivity to London and Brighton
Regeneration projects in the town centre
A limited number of new homes are on the way
Strong visitor economy

Eastbourne is at the beginning of a new property cycle and this is the perfect time to buy to maximise your returns in the town.

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Where should you buy property in Eastbourne?

Luxury property in Eastbourne town centre is in short supply. Choosing a development that is within walking distance of the seafront, town centre and train station is a winning combination for any buy-to-let investor.

A great example of a project which has all these qualities is The Esperance. Recently launched to our Investor Collective, The Esperance, comprising 45 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, landscaped gardens and communal amenities, is a unique investment opportunity that will mark a new chapter for a historic landmark building while adding modern finishes.

If you would like to know more about The Esperance or available UK property investment opportunities, contact our team today.

Why buy property in Eastbourne? UK buy-to-let investment by the sea

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