Whether you're hoping to start a family in the near future or you're looking for a little extra space for your existing clan, these are the hotspots where your budget will stretch a little further.
Despite rising house prices, family-friendly towns that offer affordable three-bedroom homes can still be found; you just need to know where to look.
Click or scroll for the most popular towns for families across the UK...
To come up with its list of the 10 most popular affordable towns for families in the UK, Zoopla compared areas by looking at the affordability of house prices versus the number of people searching for homes in those areas.
The estimated monthly mortgage repayments assume a 30-year repayment period and a 20% deposit with a mortgage rate of 4.3%.
Its data specialists also calculated an income-to-affordability ratio, based on the estimated incomes of two full-time earners, to further help house-hunters make informed judgements.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, says it’s interesting to see how affordability is increasingly driving house hunts for families: “Three-bedroom homes in the most popular affordable locations are seeing twice the amount of listing views compared to the regional average”, he says.
This trend adds weight to another statistic from separate Zoopla research in which 37% of those polled say they would happily move to a different part of the UK if it meant buying a home they could afford.
While many buyers may be willing to move to a different area, those who wish to stay within commuting distance of London might want to consider Swanley in Kent, 'the Garden of England'.
It ranks number 10 on the list of the most popular affordable areas for families.
While asking prices of just under £450,000 and average monthly mortgage repayments of £1,770 won’t seem affordable to many, here, it’s all about context.
With direct trains from Swanley to London Victoria taking under half an hour, and easy access to green spaces such as Swanley Country Park, it could be a good alternative to London, where the average house price currently stands at £663,258, according to Rightmove.
This Scottish town, just 14 miles outside Glasgow, is a great option for families who like the idea of living in a picturesque setting within easy reach of Scotland’s busiest city.
With scenic spots such as Chatelherault Country Park (pictured) and an annual vibrant festival, Larkhall offers the perfect balance between rural and urban living.
In terms of asking prices, this is more like it. In Larkhall, you can snap up a three-bed property for just £177,600 with average monthly mortgage prices of just £700.
Coupled with average combined earnings of £82,300, the price-to-earnings ratio is a very reasonable 2.2.
Another Scottish town to make the list. Thanks to a new direct train line, Leven is incredibly handy for Edinburgh – just across the Firth of Forth.
And, not only does it have its own beach and golf course, but it’s also within easy reach of the beautiful beaches and cute villages of Fife’s East Neuk.
As if the beach lifestyle itself wasn’t tempting enough, the asking prices in Leven fall well below the average of £430,940 in Edinburgh for similarly priced properties, according to home.co.uk.
With estimated local earnings of £78,200 (based on two full-time earners), and mortgage prices of just £650, you might even be able to afford the occasional night out in Edinburgh.
The second area from the South East to make it onto the list of most affordable family regions, Dartford may be the priciest of the places to buy in the top 10, but it makes the cut for its relative affordability.
With good schools, commuting options, and proximity to the beautiful Kent Downs, it certainly has enough going for it to make it a consideration.
It’s virtually impossible to find a three-bed house in Greater London for under £500,000, so the fact that three-bed homes come in at an average of £423,600 on the fringes of the capital is not to be sniffed at.
Mortgage repayments for a property in this price range will be a substantial £1,680, but with average combined earnings of over £90,000 for families with two earners, it could be comparatively cost-effective.
Situated in Wales’s Llynfi Valley, Maesteg is a place that embraces its unique heritage as a former mining town and the birthplace of the Welsh national anthem.
It’s also within easy reach of Cardiff, Port Talbot, and Bridgend for job prospects and is renowned for its close-knit community that celebrates its cultural assets.
With numerous sports clubs and local choirs to enrich daily life, it’s not just the low average three-bed asking price of £142,200 that makes a move here seem appealing.
And, with monthly mortgage payments of just £560 and asking prices just two times the estimated combined local salaries, the financial benefits are hard to argue with.
Another Scottish town to make the list, Wishaw is located just outside Motherwell to the southeast of Glasgow, making it a popular commuter town.
In recent years, Wishaw has undergone a programme of regeneration, with a focus on modern, energy-efficient housing and improved infrastructure. Green spaces, such as the Perchy Pond nature reserve (pictured), are popular with families, too.
Other green spaces within easy reach of Wishaw include Belhaven Park and nearby Strathclyde Country Park – perfect for families who enjoy watersports.
With average monthly mortgage fees of £670 and estimated earnings of £80,500, families could also find themselves with reasonable disposable income here.
The second (but not the last) Welsh entry on the list, Port Talbot is in an enviable location on the edge of the gorgeous Gower Peninsula and offers a mix of coastal and rural living.
Children can grow up amid the sand dunes, yet also run free amid the woods and hills north of the town – it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic setting for family life.
As well as the natural amenities, Port Talbot has a thriving cultural scene and is close enough to Cardiff and Swansea for commuting.
With average asking prices of just £160,300 – a little over twice the annual local salary per couple – families can enjoy a good quality of life here.
Third on the list, and for those families looking to set up home somewhere new, the South Wales town of Neath, just a little further north of Port Talbot, has a lot going for it.
Children will love the bike trails within Afan Forest Park, buckets and spades will get regular use on Aberavon Beach, and there are lots of waterfalls in Glyn-Neath (pictured), so plenty to propel families outdoors.
House prices in Neath are a little higher than in nearby Port Talbot due to its slightly more upmarket reputation and historic buildings such as Neath Abbey; however, earnings are estimated to be the same.
Nevertheless, it still benefits from asking prices of less than £180,000 for three-bed properties and also has good access to Cardiff and Swansea.
Found further north along the Wales Coastal Path in Carmarthenshire, the coastal town of Llanelli is not only brimming with charm, thanks to its local pottery and old mining heritage, but it’s also a place where locals like to embrace the great outdoors.
With lots of heritage attractions, including the Millennium Coastal Park, and a rolling programme of events, there are plenty of ways that incomers can engage with the local community.
With local earnings of £75,800 per couple and a monthly mortgage payment of just £680, the lifestyle in Llanelli lends itself to a good work-life balance.
Zoopla’s research led it to crown the Scottish town of Glenrothes, in Fife, as the most popular pick for families seeking an affordable place to live.
With a choice of beaches, an exciting food and drink scene, plenty of greenery, and Dundee, Edinburgh, and Perth all within an hour’s drive, it’s a smart choice for those who want to combine countryside living with occasional access to the perks of a city.
With the lowest average asking price of £136,900, which equates to a price-to-earnings ratio of just 1.8 and comes in way below the national average of £268,000, of all the listed towns, Glenrothes is proving the most popular with house hunters.
As well as its laid-back lifestyle, Glenrothes is now home to several leading tech companies, which also opens up lots of job opportunities for those who would rather not commute.
Discussing the new findings, Richard Donnell said: “This latest analysis paints a clear picture of a market where affordability remains a critical factor for families planning their next home move.
“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.”
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