The best areas in the UK for single people to buy their first home
Liverpool is the best location for single house-hunters to buy their first home — and even potentially find love, according to a new study.
Property listings site Zoopla looked at several factors, including average earnings, mortgage affordability and asking prices. It also looked at the number of nearby restaurants, pubs, clubs and other young- and middle-aged people who live alone to weigh the list towards areas with a more vibrant dating scene.
The average price of a one-bedroom property in Liverpool is £94,000, with single buyers only needing to spend an average of just £341 a month on mortgage payments.
This would cost the average earner in the city in the North West just 10.2% of their income, with Zoopla putting average wages at £2,664 a month.
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For single people also hoping to find a partner, a relatively high 18% of those aged 24 to 49 in the city also live on their own.
The city also offers plenty of choice for places to meet, with three ‘entertainment and social businesses’ such as restaurants or bars for every 1,000 people.
Aberdeen in Scotland comes in as the UK’s second best place for those looking to buy alone, followed by the Scottish capital Edinburgh at number three.
In Aberdeen, single buyers need £526 per month, 20% of the average wage, for their average monthly mortgage payment. That would buy them a one-bedroom home with an average value of £73,000.
Welsh capital Cardiff is fourth on the list, and Newcastle ranked at number five.
Bristol is the best location in the South West for house-hunting singletons with the average mortgage costing £689 per month.
Norwich, where the average one-bedroom home costs £149,000, took the top spot for the East of England. Portsmouth ranked best for the South East, and Nottingham and Coventry came out on top for the Midlands.
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Within London, leafy Richmond-upon-Thames was the perhaps surprising top spot for singletons who want to get on the property ladder.
The average price of a one-bedroom property was a steep £364,000, but high average wages and good nightlife made it a good option for those with well-paid jobs in the area.
Mortgage payments would set them back £1,321 per month, costing around 37% of the average local salary.
In second place is Islington, another expensive area but known for its many popular bars and restaurants. It boasts 7.5 potential date venues per 1,000 people.
Meanwhile Bromley in south London had the best affordability for singles looking to buy in the capital, according to Zoopla. The average mortgage for a one-bedroom home made up 29% of the average salary, lower than anywhere else in the capital.
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Richard Houston, Zoopla consumer spokesman, said: “Those looking to purchase a home on their own will likely feel the pressure all the more; or worse, still feel that buying alone is out of reach.
“Our analysis reveals that it is still possible for someone to afford a property on your own. You might, however, need to look at slightly more affordable areas or even other cities.”
Zoopla’s top 10 cities for single first-time buyers
Liverpool
Aberdeen
Edinburgh
Cardiff
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Hull
Sheffield
Swansea
Leeds
Norwich
