Property in Eglinton: Why Buyers Are Looking Beyond the City

Just ten minutes from Derry city centre, the village of Eglinton offers something increasingly hard to find — a genuine community feel, excellent schools, green spaces, and property prices that still represent outstanding value. It's no surprise that more and more buyers, particularly young families, are looking beyond the city limits and settling in this thriving North West village.

Where Is Eglinton?

Eglinton sits on the A2, roughly halfway between Derry and Limavady. It's a compact, well-established village with a population of around 3,500, and it's grown steadily over the past decade thanks to a combination of new housing developments and its reputation as a desirable place to live.

The village is just five miles from the city centre, making it an easy commute whether you work in Derry, at the nearby City of Derry Airport, or anywhere along the north coast corridor. The A2 dual carriageway provides quick, straightforward access, and the journey into central Derry rarely takes more than 10–15 minutes.

The Appeal for Families

If you ask people why they chose Eglinton, the answer almost always starts with schools.

Eglinton Primary School is one of the most highly regarded primary schools in the wider Derry area. It has an excellent reputation for academic standards, pastoral care, and community involvement. For many families, proximity to this school is a major factor in their decision to move to the village.

Oakgrove Integrated Primary and College is also nearby, offering an integrated education option from primary through to post-primary level. The school's ethos of bringing children from different backgrounds together is increasingly attractive to families who value diversity and inclusion.

Beyond schools, Eglinton offers a safe, walkable environment that's ideal for families with young children. The village has playgrounds, sports facilities, and plenty of green space for children to explore. There's a community centre that hosts activities and events throughout the year, and local sports clubs — including cricket and football — are well-supported and active.

What's Available: Property Types and Prices

Eglinton offers a genuinely varied housing stock, which is part of its appeal. You'll find everything from period cottages and established family homes to brand new developments with modern specifications.

New Builds

Several new housing developments have been completed in Eglinton in recent years, with more in the pipeline. These typically offer three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes with contemporary finishes, good energy ratings, and private gardens. New builds in the village tend to attract strong interest, particularly from families upsizing from apartments or terraced houses in the city.

Prices for new build three-bedroom semis in Eglinton typically start from around £150,000–£170,000, while four-bedroom detached homes can range from £200,000 to £280,000 depending on specification and plot size.

Established Homes

The older parts of Eglinton feature a mix of traditional terraced cottages, bungalows, and family homes dating from the 1960s through to the 1990s. These properties often come with larger plots and mature gardens — something that's increasingly difficult to find in new build developments.

Established three-bedroom homes in the village typically sell in the £130,000–£170,000 range, offering excellent value when you consider the location and amenities.

Period and Character Properties

Eglinton has a number of charming period properties, including stone-built cottages and older farmhouses on the outskirts. These appeal to buyers looking for character and individuality, though they may require modernisation. Prices vary considerably depending on condition and plot size.

Village Life: Amenities and Community

Despite its relatively small size, Eglinton has everything you need for day-to-day life. The village centre includes:

• A well-stocked convenience shop and post office

• Takeaways and a café

• A pharmacy

• A filling station

• Churches of multiple denominations

• A well-maintained community centre

• Sports pitches and a cricket ground

For anything more — supermarkets, restaurants, leisure facilities — Derry city centre is just ten minutes away. The north coast and its beaches are equally accessible, making Eglinton an excellent base for families who want the best of both worlds.

City of Derry Airport

One of Eglinton's unique selling points is its proximity to City of Derry Airport, located on the edge of the village. The airport offers direct flights to London Stansted, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Liverpool, making it convenient for anyone who travels regularly for work or leisure.

For remote workers with clients or offices in GB, having an airport on your doorstep is a genuine advantage — and one that's increasingly influencing property decisions in the area.

The Commute

Eglinton's location on the A2 makes commuting straightforward in multiple directions:

• Derry city centre: 10–15 minutes by car

• Limavady: 15–20 minutes

• Coleraine: 35–40 minutes

• Belfast: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes via the A6

For those working remotely — a growing proportion of buyers in the current market — Eglinton offers fast broadband and a peaceful working environment without the isolation of more rural locations.

Why Buyers Are Choosing Eglinton Over the City

The trend of buyers looking beyond the city boundary isn't unique to Derry, but it's particularly pronounced here. Several factors are driving this:

Value for Money

Your budget goes further in Eglinton than in most parts of Derry. For the price of a three-bedroom semi in Culmore or the Cityside, you can often secure a larger property with a bigger garden in the village.

Space

Post-pandemic priorities have shifted. Many buyers now want a home office, a larger garden, and more living space. Eglinton delivers all three, often at a lower price than equivalent city properties.

Quality of Life

Less traffic, less noise, more green space, a stronger sense of community — these are things that many families increasingly prioritise over convenience. Eglinton offers genuine village life without the drawbacks of rural isolation.

Schools

As mentioned, the quality of local schools is a major draw. Families are willing to move for the right school, and Eglinton's educational options are among the best in the area.

Investment Potential

Eglinton has seen consistent property price growth over the past five years, and the fundamentals suggest this trend will continue. Demand regularly outstrips supply, new developments sell quickly, and the village's reputation as a desirable family location is firmly established.

For buyers, this means that purchasing in Eglinton isn't just a lifestyle choice — it's a sound investment. Property here holds its value well and, based on current trends, is likely to continue appreciating.

Finding Your Home in Eglinton

At James Gorman Property, we handle a significant number of property sales in Eglinton and the surrounding area. We know the village intimately — the different streets, the developments, the price levels, and what buyers are looking for.

Whether you're a first-time buyer looking for an affordable entry point, a growing family seeking more space, or a professional attracted by the village lifestyle and airport convenience, we can help you find the right property.

Properties in Eglinton move quickly, so registering with us early is important. Many homes receive offers before they appear on the major property portals, and our registered buyers get first access.

Ready to Explore Eglinton?

If you're considering a move to Eglinton — or if you already own a property there and want to know what it's worth in the current market — we'd love to hear from you.

Contact James Gorman Property today for expert advice on buying or selling in Eglinton.

📞 Call us or visit jamesgormanproperty.com to get started.