A stunning town in the UK steeped in history has been named the cheapest place to buy houses for first-time buyers. Kilmarnock, a town in East Ayrshire, in Scotland offers houses at prices starting from £84,000, it has been revealed.
An analysis done by Rightmove placed the Scottish town in the top spot as the cheapest area for a first-time buyer to get onto the property ladder. The amount is more than five times cheaper than the property prices in London – where the average cost of a flat comes to a whopping £590,543. With a population of over 47,000 residents, the town is home to the largest Burns monument in the country, as well as the much-loved Dick Institute.
Located in the heart of Ayrshire, Kilmarnock has much to offer with its unique mix of culture, retail, and leisure. The town centre is well-known for its wide range of independent niche shops which, combined with many of the familiar high street stores, offers a great retail mix.
Visit Scotland, the country’s official tourist board explained on its website: “Bank Street [in Kilmarnock] is a charming cobbled street in the historic core, with the elegant John Finnie Street boasting one of the best examples of provincial Victorian architecture in Scotland.
“The Dick Institute and Palace Theatre offer first class cultural and leisure experiences within the town centre, with the Burns Monument Centre close by in the beautiful setting of Kay Park. Dean Castle and Country Park offer a fantastic day out for all the family with a programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year.”
The town is just 30 minutes from Glasgow and can be easily reached by train.
According to the survey, Greenock in Inverclyde is second on the list, with an average asking price of £88,862, whilst Grimsby in Lincolnshire is the third cheapest area with homes prices at £93,427.
For comparison, London, which was the most expensive location, had an average asking price of around half a million.