When you’re searching for the perfect place to settle down with your partner, you’ll want somewhere that’s affordable yet offers a good quality of life for you to start building a family. The UK offers plenty of budget-friendly locations for couples to live from low-profile towns to outskirts of major cities. It all comes down to the available budget that you both have and what you consider to be affordable.
Whether you’re both currently living in the country or one of you has to obtain the relevant spouse visa for UK living, it’s important that you find a location that’s perfect for you. This guide is here to help you by outlining some of the most budget-friendly locations where you and your partner can live together and enjoy a fruitful life.
Continue reading to find out where your next humble abode could be.
Budget-Friendly UK Locations
Liverpool
Compared to other major UK cities, Liverpool is considered a relatively cheap place to live, particularly when compared to London. Whether it’s housing, food or entertainment, Liverpool offers plenty of cheaper alternatives with the outskirts of the city centre offering a fantastic value for couples. The average monthly rent in Liverpool is around £826 with all bills included, but prices vary by area and property type. From Liverpool One to tours of Anfield, there is so much for couples to do in the scouse capital, so we have no doubt that you will have a superb time.
Newcastle
Going further up north in England, Newcastle can be a very budget-friendly city to live in for couples who still want a great atmosphere and plenty of things to do. While there are more expensive areas of Newcastle, there are some affordable areas like Byker, Cowgate and Elswick, which all have a wonderful sense of community that is perfect for starting a family. There’s so many different activities in Newcastle that are perfect for couples with historic sights, museums and outdoor spaces in abundance.
Sheffield
Sheffield is considered affordable to live in because the average cost of living is significantly lower than the national average with housing costs, groceries and general expenses being considerably cheaper than other cities in the country. This city is known to have a wonderful sense of community and is ideal for couples to live together, especially in Fir Vale, Shirecliffe and Gleadless Valley. Sheffield is nicknamed the “Steel City” because of its history of cutlery and steel production, so there are plenty of job opportunities within this industry if you live in the city.
Telford
The most affordable place for couples to live in the UK is Telford in Shropshire with the average asking price of a one-bedroom house costing £95,000, according to data. This is significantly lower than other locations in the UK, so you can put more of your budget elsewhere. There’s a lot of nice countryside in Telford for you and your loved one to enjoy together and it has a very pleasant community too.
Cardiff
While it is the most populated city in Wales, it still offers fairly affordable living situations compared to most major cities in the rest of the UK. For example, renting in Cardiff is generally cheaper than nearby English cities like Bristol while having plenty more to do. The Royal Mint, National Museum and Cardiff Castle are just some of the amenities that the city has to offer so it’s sure to be a great place to enjoy living with your partner.
Oldham
If you’re looking for a place to live near Manchester without having to pay the high prices of the city centre, you should consider Oldham. This large town has great transport links to Manchester City Centre by both tram and bus. It’s also a very affordable place to live with many areas offering low rent and buy costs for housing. You can also find many cheap pubs and restaurants in and around the town centre, so you can afford a meal out with your partner without having to fork out much from your bank account. There are also great supermarket choices with cheap options like Lidl and Aldi being plentiful in Oldham.
Huddersfield
Yorkshire has many budget-friendly living options for couples with Huddersfield being perhaps the best choice for West Yorkshire. This historic market town is home to lovely Victorian architecture, cobbled roads and industrial heritage that all adds to the charm and authenticity of it. There’s also a student vibe about the town with there being a renowned university in the area, which only adds to the great atmosphere. Rent and buy costs of flats and houses tend to be very low in Huddersfield.
Stirling
Moving on to Scotland, the most affordable yet enjoyable place to live in our opinion is Stirling. It has been a Royal Burgh since 1124 and is one of the most important locations in Scottish history. We think it’s the ideal place to live due to it offering wonderful surrounding countryside for you and your partner to explore. There’s great places to visit there too, such as Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument. You will be able to find very affordable living arrangements in this historic Scottish town.
Lancaster
Popular with university students, Lancaster is also a great place to live for adults who are interested in living in a major market centre with plenty of amenities. Lancaster also has a rich history, including its Castle, Roman Fort, Priory Church and Cathedral, so you will be living in a truly authentic place. Lancaster has a lower cost of living than many of the UK’s major northern cities, so it’s perfect for both young and old couples.
Blackpool
Blackpool Tower, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and world-renowned B&Bs are just some of the things that people instantly think of when Blackpool comes to mind. It’s a wonderful place to live for those looking to experience a true representation of British culture, as you will see plenty of eccentric characters while travelling up and down the sea front. It has really good transport links to places like Liverpool and Preston, so it is a very good place to live. There is a lot of affordable housing in the town too, as the average rent price is around £650 per month for a flat and £900 per month for a single-family home.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the “perfect” place is a personal decision, shaped by your combined priorities and financial considerations. We encourage you to delve deeper into these options, weigh the factors that matter most to you, and embark on your shared future in a location that truly feels like home and is within your budget.