If you had £60,000 to buy a property…..

[blublub]

…..anywhere in the country, where would you buy? It’s not a lot but it’s an opportunity I have been given, but I have no idea. Where would you buy?

The Northeast is the place to be for that sort of money, County Durham:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?searchLocation=County+Durham&useLocationIdentifier=true&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E61332&buy=For+sale&radius=0.0&maxPrice=60000&_includeSSTC=on&sortType=2&channel=BUY&transactionType=BUY&displayLocationIdentifier=County-Durham.html

Yes, I mentioned the Heylo option because it’s ideal where for whatever reason you can’t get a mortgage (age, irregular income, etc) - but if you can , there’s that option too - I think it makes far more sense rather than buy something grotty in a grim area that may be an endless money pit - especially given the costs of ‘any’ Renovation you can’t do yourself

I literally got the keys in June, did the reno July, August through mid September and moved in at the end of September... Its been all of 1 month, petty sure prices haven't skyrocketed in the 45 days since I paid it.

Don't really get why mumsnetters always want to try and discredit someones actual lived experience and advice with their 'thoughts' haven not literally just done it.

Make an offer on this: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168392786

city centre location, near the river and two big parks, all done up so nothing to do.

It’s also above a pub and on a main road. There’s been two owners within the last 19 months and the current owner bought it for £78k. I wouldn’t buy it for £1k.

I'd buy a beach house and enjoy the summer seasons.

Get a small mortgage to up your budget to 120,000. It will only cost you a few hundred a month and you can live somewhere much nicer which will keep it's value.

I'd look at Dunoon on Argyll and Bute. This one has a sea view and spacious kitchen and bathroom. Looks like only cosmetic work would need to be done. Proper town with facilities and connections. It's been on for three months though so not sure what to read into that?....

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165627599?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

That doesn’t sound like significant renovation works tbh given the short amount of time it took but okay. How much did it cost altogether? I get that you think people are trying to be too negative but genuinely, building materials are so expensive and that applies wherever you live. I don’t live in London but we were quoted 130k for a roof raising loft extension. 7 years ago that would have been about 80k. Where are you finding builders willing to work for so cheap? When estimating cost I’m already assuming quite low day rates but it’s still expensive and a full updating would be tens of thousands.

I would also factor in OP if you ever need to get work that’s different to what you do now— - itsall very well buying 1 bed flats in the middle of nowhere , where there is often little work , but as I’ve said below for future proofing I think small mortgage ( or Heylo scheme) and 2 bed terrace/ex council semi somewhere like Barnsley, Leeds or Sheffield, Newcastle or Nottingham area would make way more sense

You could get a one or two bedroom flat in Aberdeen in a not terrible location.

Have you thought you might be ruling this out too quickly - have you chatted to people living in canal boats - I don't think you have to be Guy Martin, James Dyson or IK Brunel to know how to keep a boat running. It's the same with towing a caravan - just look at the people who do - is it really that much of a stretch for you? It's a learning curve but it's not beyond most people to pick up what you need to know is it?

The big question is really can you adapt to living in a small space and what do you need to do for work and what ties do you have - to family and friends etc.

My concern with doing up any property ATM is that it's extremely difficult to get people in that you can trust to do a good job - we currently wait about 2 years to get people in that we have used in the past - it's just not worth the disappointment of working with people who can get the work done almost immediately... they're available for a reason.... it seems to me that anyone can buy a beat up old white van and paint builder, roofer, patio and driveway specialist, landscape gardener, tree surgeon on the side.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/169007576

Flats above shops are always tricky to sell but this one is quite nice if a bit small, and freehold.

That is a lovely flat, I would grab that, so much could be done to that for not much money

Not sure I understand the freehold, who fixes the roof etc?

What happens when it comes to repairs varies from building to building. Quite often there are factors (management companies) which organise on behalf of freeholders and tenants. Fees usually need to be paid quarterly. Responsible for arranging stair cleaning and gardening etc as well as big ticket items like roof repairs. Everyone pays their share of the bill. That's the theory - some factors are rather better than others of course.

Not much in Dundoon,tbh

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167916824
Crieff Is a decent town

Agree with the poster that mentioned Troon. Good thing with Scotland is the survey is done already and once you make an offer the deal is expected to go ahead. It's an area I'm looking into and have heard good things about. One in your budget in the area that isn't a wreck in the way some others are on here. Don't know what the centre is like above a shop at night though. Lots of good feedback on the area in general. I can't think of an area in England that would be decent for that so would go Wales or Scotland assuming that's permitted work wise

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/169067543#/?channel=RES_BUY

I would definitely consider the Newcastle area if you can get one cheap enough, great town, good public transport links, beach nearby by metro, and international airport (on metro) Beautiful Northumberland a 30 min car drive. Gateshead and Sunderland also on metro. OK some of the areas are rougher. I agree with another poster that you should go there and walk about (day and night) to see if you can cope with it.

Aberdeen.

It’s not as cheap as you think - relatives have had canal boats and there are a lot of fees and ongoing charges and mooring costs that essentially add up to the cost of renting a small home anyway…

edited to add - also it can be very tough living on a canal boat through the winter - not something I would want to do… (especially when getting older). Any hint of a mobility problem developing, and you would be in trouble (canal boats need quite a lot of physical flexibility and balance to get on or off). Not to mention the massive amounts of maintenance. Everything needs to be regularly painted; and it needs to be taken out of the water and put into a dry dock every few years to have the bottom blacked / maintained…

I used to dream about having a canal boat (for leisure) - but having seen our relative’s experience, it has completely put me off.

Getting a lodger (as @berlinbaby2025 suggested) is a great idea, to cover potential mortgage payments. Currently you can earn up to £7k ish per year renting out a room, tax free (need to check this as this is all from memory!)..

Absolutely this.
its Hard work. Beautiful, but hard work!
moorings near me are about £800 a month. You have to pay council tax, business rated electric. It needs to come out the water every 10 years or so for reblacking.
then there’s the toilet issue, your pumping it out, composting or using a camping toilet.
you have to constantly consider how much water, coal and gas you have.
Technically it’s a depreciating asset, unlike housing.

it is lovely, it really is. But it’s not for everyone.

To be fair - @FallingIntoAutumn @BusySpinningPlates the OP didn't make any statements about her ongoing financial situation - I don't know if they are still working locally or remotely or self employed.. and they only asked about options for spending £60k to find somewhere to live.

I never made any comment about the costs of living on a boat - I'm aware of some of the costs - my partners best friend at work has lived on a boat for maybe 15 years following her divorce - I do understand some people think it costs virtually nothing to live on the water - there are plenty of Youtube videos breaking it down for anyone that's interested. I had a photographer friend and another dog walking friend who live on boats but they both moved on a couple of years ago - one for a change of scenery and one for love - stop and chat to some of them - the single canal folk I've known never shied away from a long conversation!