Five Affordable Cities for First Time Buyers

Did you know that London is officially the least affordable place in the UK for first-time buyers? The cost of an average first home in capital has topped £400,000, making the dream of owning a house less realistic for many young Brits looking to put their foot on the property ladder.

If you happen to be one of those people looking to purchase their first home without incurring heaps of debt, we’ve teamed up with the largest self-storage provider, Safestore, to name five top affordable cities you should consider buying a home in.

1. Liverpool

If you feel tired of the gruelling commute and extraordinary house prices, then you should make your way to Liverpool! With the average house prices of £122,137, this beautiful city situated in North West England is a great alternative for anyone looking for a rich heritage and great entertainment.

2. Hull

Named by Zoopla as the most affordable city for first-time buyers with the an average house price of £104,376, Hull (or Kingston upon Hull) is a port city in East Yorkshire.  

Named ‘City of Culture’ in 2017, Hull is the ideal destination for anyone looking for a peaceful but characterful place to live. Hull compromises of plenty of parks and green spaces, as well as a great deal of attractions, including Streetlife Museum of Transport and Dinostar – ideal if you fancy a break from overcrowded cosmopolitan living.

3. Swansea

Described by Dylan Thomas as an “ugly, lovely town”, Swansea is a coastal city and the second largest city in Wales, listed as one of the most affordable cities to live with the average property value of £133,514.

Situated only three hours away from London, Swansea offers an unusual blend of vibrant city, stunning coastline and diverse countryside – just all you need when looking for a perfect lifetime destination.

4. Manchester

If you’re looking for your first house for under £170,000 then you should search for properties in Manchester.

Moving to this beautiful city in the northwest of England sounds dreamy (and this is perhaps why it’s been named as one of the best places to live in the UK) if you happen to be a sport fan – all thanks to the world-class sport facilities including the Manchester Aquatics Centre, Regional Athletics Arena, National Squash Centre and Manchester Velodrome.

5. Preston

Named as best city to live and work in northwest England, Preston beat Manchester and Liverpool in an annual assessment of the UK’s largest cities thanks to its economic success and great work-life balance.  

Situated only two hours from London and one hour from the Lakes and Manchester, this Lancashire city is a tempting option for anyone looking forward budget living too – the average property in Preston is £125,840.