Scottish town under an hour from Edinburgh named as Britain's most affordable for family homes

New research from Zoopla puts Glenrothes, in east-central Scotland, top of the pile. Situated in the heart of Fife, it offers an easy-going pace of life, nestled amongst beautiful landscapes. Those hoping to buy in the area will need to pay an average of £540 in monthly mortgage payments for a three-bedroom home, based on an average value of £136,900.

All of the towns in the top ten were located in Scotland and Wales, apart from Dartford and Swanley in the south-east of England. Interestingly, buyer interest, as measured by listing views, was twice as high for three-bedroom homes in the most popular affordable towns compared to the regional average for similar properties. This heightened popularity underscores the appeal of these more budget-friendly locations for families.

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Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, said: “This latest analysis paints a clear picture of a market where affordability remains a critical factor for families planning their next home move. Our analysis identified the most affordable areas for families seeking value for money. What's particularly telling is the level of buyer interest these towns are attracting; three-bedroom homes in the most popular affordable locations are seeing twice the amount of listing views compared to the regional average.

“This heightened popularity, coupled with the significant portion of would-be buyers expressing concerns about being priced out of housing, underscores the ongoing challenges facing movers and the clear appetite for value. The willingness of many to consider different regions or compromise on property features further highlights the adaptive strategies families are employing in today's market. Ultimately,; understanding these regional dynamics and the intensity of demand in affordable areas is crucial for both those looking to move and the agents supporting them in this evolving landscape.

“Zoopla has invested in developing a range of tools and insights to help motivated movers track the value of their homes, plan their move and search for homes using keywords that cover property features”

Top ten most popular affordable towns for families in Britain

1: Glenrothes, Scotland. Average value of a 3-bed home: £136,900; 2: Llanelli, Wales. Average value of a 3-bed home: £170,600; 3: Neath, Wales. Average value of a 3-bed home: £176,400; 4: Port Talbot, Wales. Average value of a 3-bed home: £160,300; 5: Wishaw, Scotland. Average value of a 3-bed home: £168,600; 6: Maesteg, Wales. Average value of a 3-bed home: £142,200; 7: Dartford, England. Average value of a 3-bed home: £423,600; 8: Leven, Scotland. Average value of a 3-bed home: £164,600; 9: Larkhall, Scotland. Average value of a 3-bed home: £177,600; 10: Swanley, England. Average value of a 3-bed home: £444,900.