It’s an attractive option for many first-time buyers according to a new study
Warrington town centre(Image: Alamy/PA)
A Cheshire town has been named in the top ten best value places in the UK for homebuyers, according to a new study. Warrington is ranked ninth overall for homebuyers wanting to make their cash stretch further.
The ‘Price of Proximity’ research by My Home Move Conveyancing mapped the number of properties for sale, average house prices, and access to schools, GPs and supermarkets in the UK’s top 50 towns and cities, at distances from 0.5 to five miles from the centre. Each factor was weighted to create a value for money score out of 100, revealing which locations offer the best balance of amenities, house availability and affordability.
Average property prices within a mile of Warrington sit at £292,294 – more than £180,000 below the average UK house price – making it an attractive option for many first-time buyers looking to be close to the centre of town. Thanks to the smaller population, there’s less competition for access to everyday local infrastructure, with 0.85 GPs, 0.24 schools and 0.06 supermarkets per 10,000 people.
For buyers on a tighter budget, trading a central postcode for a short commute could save over £5,000, with properties within a five-mile radius falling to 286,023. Bolton was crowned the UK’s best value area for home buyers; its housing market remains affordable, with central postcodes averaging £275,974.27, and its smaller population works in favour, reducing stress on local amenities.
Top 10 best value UK locations for homebuyers
- Bolton
- Blackburn
- Huddersfield
- Doncaster
- Burnley
- Blackpool
- Wolverhampton
- Plymouth
- Warrington
- Cambridge
Alistair Singer, Director at My Home Move Conveyancing, said: “Our research shows that Northern towns and cities like Warrington are a great way to get the most for your budget. These areas combine affordable property prices with less pressured essential services, creating genuinely great locations for homeownership, especially for first-time buyers.
“Whereas areas predominantly in the South face higher property prices, like Brighton. While higher property values are a testament to their popularity, the dense population leaves daily infrastructure stretched and highlights an opportunity for future infrastructure growth to improve the resident experience.
“This trend highlights the incredible potential and accessible quality of life available outside the more competitive Southern markets, and a more flexible labour market with an increase in working from home or hybrid jobs, makes this even more realistic. Whilst finding the right location is a critical part of a smooth purchase process, so is being legally prepared and partnering with an expert on your conveyancing and that includes supporting you with aspects that may be unique to that specific region that come apparent in searches, for example.”