To ask where I could move to to get on the property ladder??

[PleasantPheasant]

I need to move if I ever want to afford more than just a room in a shared house. I am single, so one income and earn less that 23,000 GBP gross. I desperately want to be able to afford a place of my own, eventually 2-3 bed. At the moment in my town I can only afford an 8 sq m room in a shared house, so you see why I need to move.
I'm quite able and willing to move, I've moved around all over the place during my 20s but I'd like to settle wherever I go next and I don't really have ties anywhere in this country so nowhere jumps out at me.
So - inspire me?! I'm looking for somewhere cheap to live, but not in a city or industrial place. I would love to live near the sea or lakes, out in the country but not too far from a small town - 30-40 mins say.
I only need a small place, bungalow, mobile home, cabin, but need to be able to afford the land it stands on, or a small cottage/bungalow/tiny house.
I'm looking to rent somewhere again for now - on my salary I can't afford to pay much over 600/month if I ever want to save. I would consider anywhere in the UK, currently looking at Wales and Scotland as they seem cheaper? AIB totally naive to think I will ever be able to move out of this grotty room??

We live in Durham and paid £95k for a lovely 2 bed rural cottage near the beach. Mortgage is around £400pcm. We love it here

Currently upgrading to a 4 bed at 200k and that's quite expensive for the area!

Lots of places like that in the north east which are nice.

West Yorkshire is cheap.

Liverpool and Manchester?

And yes, Scotland. Years ago my husband and I said that if we fell on hard times and needed to downsize we would move to Elgin.

Northumberland definitely. Or tyne valley.

www.hspc.co.uk/search.asp?searchtype=simple

Highlands of Scotland .....

But I guess it also depends how guaranteed that job / salary is in other parts of the country. You could get a property easily enough based on that salary (simple guesstimate of mortgage). But can you get a job?

Around Swansea or Carmarthen.

600 a month in rent, or including bills etc.

I think even in the cheapest parts of the country you may struggle to make significant savings if living on your own.

Would you consider lodging with one other person? An improvement on a shared room but would allow you to save faster

What job do you do? It would be sensible to look at earning more as well as improving housing situation.

What's your occupation? Will you easily find work wherever you move to?

My SIL lives in a lovely little village somewhere between Leicester and Northampton and they paid less than 200k

Yes the job thing will be key.

Lots of Yorkshire is cheap. This bungalow in Filey has been let out as a holiday home, and is £75,000. Monthly mortgage of £362
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50261527.html

Oh and I have rural/North Wales down for when we can buy, but you also have to think of jobs. He travels for work so can live anywhere and my chosen career follows a trajectory that allows for freelance working from home. Hence why we won't be buying for a while as that's not possible atm.

Best to work on increasing earning potential for now I think.

Darlington, defo..

And that bungalow in Filey is very close to a country park and the sea. It just takes a bit of time looking around.

I second other PP's Yorkshire is cheap. North Yorkshire is the most expensive. I'd go West Yorkshire, close to countryside but within close proximity to various towns and cities. Also good motorway links such as M62 and M1

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44434161.html

£70k, buy the sea

Lots of West Yorkshire is very expensive though!!!! I believe that the triangle described by Wetherby, Ilkley and N Leeds has the highest average house price in the country.

OP, have a look around Doncaster, Pontefract and Goole,but watch out for flood zones.

A 14 bedroom house in Scotland for £900000?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36024598.html

That Filey bungalow only has 52 years left on the leasehold. Not going to get a mortgage on that

There are loads of places you could get that but I think people will need to know what sort of job market you realistically have access to. It would help considerably if you can wfh. I usually say the northern cities and areas close by offer the closest you'll get to the best of both worlds, but it doesn't sound like that's what you're after.

Would you consider a big move to NI? You could get a very reasonable property but what would your job prospects be?

If you want south you coukd try parts of Wiltshire. Rents from about £500 pcm. To buy, flats from £100k, 2 bed house about £140k upwards.

Will you earn the same wherever you live ?
Do you have the £ for a deposit?