You could say that the UK’s real estate market is in a real state right now.
As reported by the Guardian “UK house prices rose by 10% in the year to May, the fastest rate since before the 2008 financial crisis”. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average price of a property is now £254,624, and many Londoners are finding it increasingly difficult to place a tentative toe on the property ladder, let alone get their feet firmly on a rung.
Should you be casting your eyes northwards, whether it’s for the more affordable house prices, lower cost of living, or dynamic, forward thinking spirit of the North’s urban centres, then firstly, please take us with you!
But more importantly, if you’re looking for an affordable property investment and wondering where to focus your attention, then here are 4 dynamic cities in Northern England with affordable house prices.
DURHAM – £109,980 average house price
Durham offers a great mix of amenities, history, dining and leisure opportunities and is one of our top picks for ideal homes in the north. According to 2021 data from Open Property Group, the city ranks as the most affordable place to buy in England, with an average house price of £109’980.
With a population of around 48,000 people, Durham strikes a fine balance between offering an intimate, neighbourhood feel and not being overly crowded. As the home to the world-famous Durham University, the city boasts a thriving university community and has several attractions to entertain the young and young at heart. These include cultural exhibits such as the Durham Cathedral which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s also an incredibly attractive place to spend time, and after a trek through one of the city’s majestic parks, you’ll no doubt agree with us. For those who are keen to savour wide open spaces after a year spent largely indoors, the serenity of Bethesda Park, the Eno Park, Rock Quarry Park and Solite Park will satisfy those urges for expanse.
The city is also home to exciting annual events like the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival, the Beaver Queen Pageant and the Bull City Rumble. Yep, it’s hard to get bored in Durham.
LIVERPOOL – £145,064 AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE
While it’s just been announced that Liverpool has been stripped of its World Heritage status after a committee found that recent developments on the city’s waterfront caused an “irreversible loss of attributes”, it doesn’t change how much we love Liverpool.
If we weren’t tempted enough to move there, Liverpool boasts truly affordable housing, with the average price standing at just £145’064. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also a hugely livable place to settle down, with so much to do for young and old alike.
The city has a creative energy and youthful, anything goes spirit and Liverpool is becoming a mecca for young go-getters with big ideas and the balls to break away from the capital’s overbearing grip.
It’s a city that straddles the old and new with a thriving cultural vibe playing out against the backdrop of old industrial and historic buildings. It has a flourishing foodie scene which gets more exciting every time we visit, and for art lovers, there’s a mix of traditional art galleries like The Walker, which houses one of the largest art collections in the UK outside London, alongside places on the cutting edge of the scene.
The city also offers excellent educational opportunities through its many schools and colleges, with the Liverpool College, the University of Liverpool and the Hugh Baird College all highly regarded.
CARLISLE – £140,005 average house price
Carlisle also springs to mind when we think about a city with the right mix of affordable house prices and a winning location.
The “Great Border City” is the end of England, with Scotland within walking distance just 10 miles away. Alternatively, you can hop in the car and in just a short drive you’ll find the breathtaking beauty of the Lake District, should you wish to escape the city.
But why would you want to escape this fantastic place? Carlisle has a rich history dating back to pre-Roman times. Because of this, the city is home to several archaeological and historical gems, including Carlisle Castle and Carlisle Cathedral, as well as the fascinating Tullie Museum and Art Gallery, which has been open since the late 19th Century. Alternatively, Hadrian’s Wall is just a half hour’s drive away.
If you’re planning to settle here and raise a family, the city also has an excellent collection of schools and The University of Cumbria, which has two campuses in Carlisle. It also boasts superb transport links to both Scotland and the rest of England, with four trains an hour running to Glasgow (taking just over an hour) and hourly trains to Newcastle (taking around an hour and a half). Speaking of Newcastle…
NEWCASTLE – £166,023 average house price
Another top pick for us when it comes to affordable houses and a lively, dynamic atmosphere is Newcastle.
With an average house price of £166’023 and consistently ranked as one of the happiest places to live in the UK, Newcastle upon Tyne has so much to give. Whatever you’re interested in, the chances are that Newcastle has it – from the Baltic Art Centre to over 300 cafes and pubs, and over 92 parks and churches, as well as a beloved football team and famously warm welcome, it’s all here. It’s also an affordable place to both live and visit, with many of Newcastle’s attractions easily accessible and the city’s cost of living one of the lowest in the country.
And to top it all off, the city offers excellent options for education with its numerous highly ranked schools, universities and colleges. At the tertiary level, the city is home to the prestigious Northumbria University, as well as Newcastle University, with Top Universities recently ranking Newcastle as the 8th best student city in the country. Though your days in academia might be behind you, that’s still a ringing endorsement of the city’s potential, don’t you think?
THE BOTTOM LINE
Should you be planning to up sticks and move on, and you’re keen to settle down somewhere dynamic, forward thinking yet affordable, too, then we hope you’ve found some inspiration today.