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A quarter of Londoners are looking to move out of the capital, a study found.
Researchers found many of those who currently reside in the city feel they will have ‘no choice’ but to move away.
More than a third don’t think they will be able to afford to stay in capital in the long-term due to the high cost of living.
And around 51 per cent of those who took part said they found residing in London 'too stressful'.
It also emerged the average capital dweller who plans on leaving expects to be gone within four years.
However, the research of 1,000 Londoners commissioned by Berkeley Homes found almost half believe their quality of life would improve if they moved away.
The Home Counties was pinpointed as the area they consider most likely to improve their wellbeing.
Deana Everingham, sales and marketing director, Berkeley Homes (Western), said: “We have already seen a huge increase in people keen to move out of the capital in order to achieve a higher quality of life.
“Of course there are aspects of London they will be sad to leave behind, but the findings suggest the benefits outweigh the negatives.
“The Home Counties and beyond are becoming more appealing, with towns that previously might have been overlooked now becoming thriving epicentres in their own right.”
Other reasons Londoners are looking to leave include 'to live near the countryside', 'to get away from the hustle and bustle' and to be 'closer to family'.
Fresh air, cheaper property and aspiring to water or countryside views are just a few of the things which would lead to them leaving.
However, the research found almost half are worried leaving the city will have a negative effect on their social life.
And 55 per cent fear they would miss out on all the ‘fun and excitement’ of the capital if they moved away.
Those polled admit they would miss London’s world-renowned attractions, being around friends and being in a good location for events such as comedy and music.
But a third think it's possible to have all the benefits associated with living in London without actually living there.
The research carried out through OnePoll found a fifth are so attached to the capital they would consider commuting back to the capital upon relocating.
And on average, one hour, 20 minutes would be the amount of time they would be willing to travel to work.
Everingham added: “Despite the perception among some of those polled, it is possible to get the best of both worlds – to enjoy everything great about London and to have the benefits of living outside the capital.
“Excellent transport links, along with lower pollution, countryside lifestyle and lower living costs are key reasons why we may see somewhat of an exodus from the capital in the coming years.
“There are many locations which offer much shorter commuting times.
"Reading, the UK’s largest town, offers commuting times of just 26 minutes in London Paddington.
“Known as the UK’s largest tech cluster, it offers the highest wages in the UK outside of London and now sees more people commuting daily into Reading, than leaving to travel to Central London.”
ENDS
