Survey: Over half of Latvia's residents consider moving to another home

A new study reveals that 57% of Latvia's residents and approximately 60% of Baltic residents are considering moving to another home. The data comes from the international "Happy Neighbourhood Report 2026" by real estate developer Bonava, which focuses on people's needs and values regarding housing.

Although many Baltic residents have deep roots in their neighborhoods – 44% have lived there for more than ten years – nearly half of the respondents show high interest in new residential projects. Moving plans are often short-term: in Latvia, 47% of those considering a move would like to do so within the next two years, while in the Baltics overall, 41% express this intention.

The main reasons for considering a move include the desire for a higher-quality home, cited by nearly half of respondents in both Latvia and the Baltics. The second most important reason is the need for more living space, mentioned by 48% of Baltic and 40% of Latvian respondents planning to move. One-third of Baltic and one-quarter of Latvian respondents cite the desire to move to a different area. Additionally, nearly one in six Latvian residents planning to move mention wanting a home with a garden.

On the other hand, more than half of Baltic residents do not plan to change their residence in the next five years or have not yet decided. The main reason for staying is satisfaction with the surrounding environment: 59% of Latvian and 54% of Baltic respondents who do not plan to move say they like their neighborhood. Almost a third of Baltic residents indicate that their current home still suits their life situation and is conveniently located near work or school. A sense of security is important for a quarter of respondents, with 91% of Latvian respondents feeling safe in their neighborhood and 89% feeling at home.

The study also reveals financial capabilities: 51% of Latvian respondents interested in buying a new home are willing to pay up to €100,000, while in the Baltics, 30% cite this budget. Higher prices are more common among residents of other Baltic countries – for example, 22% of Latvian and 29% of Baltic respondents consider €150,000 acceptable, while 17% and 19% respectively consider €200,000 acceptable.

The survey was conducted in January 2026 across six countries, covering a total of 4,004 respondents aged 20 to 74. In the Baltic countries, 999 responses were analyzed, including 333 from Latvia. The study was conducted mainly among residents of capital cities.