The most desirable places to live in South Wales
I think South Wales is brilliant and has everything anyone could ever want – but maybe I’m biased. Whether you’re looking for a coastal retreat or to live in a small town, South Wales has it all. Countryside, villages, beaches, moorland; isolated or surrounded by social events; the busy cities of Cardiff or Swansea – what more could you want?
As such, it’s been my pleasure to help buyers purchase a home and move into this area. In this post, I’ll tell you about some of the most desirable places to live in the region.
These are based on the Telegraph’s list of the ‘poshest’ 54 places to live in the UK. Three villages in South Wales made it on. You can read the Telegraph article here (if you have an account). Without any further ado, let’s get into it.
Oxwich (Penrice)
What can I say about Oxwich? Well, let’s start with the location. You’ll find it on the infamously beautiful Gower Peninsula. It’s technically part of Penrice, and despite being well out in the countryside, it’s only 11 miles from Swansea.
The church originates in the AD 500s, meaning the entire area is rich in heritage and history. This is one of the main factors driving buyer appeal.
As well as the natural countryside and historic homes (some have thatched roofs), you’ll be right next to Oxwich Bay. It’s a popular and well-used beach, but it’s also part of the nature reserve and is always very clean.
The average house prices in this area are around £310,000.
Shirenewton
Shirenewton is located in Monmouthshire. It’s just over the Welsh border (five miles or so) and is a quintessential small British village. The sense of community you’ll find in a place like this will be tough to get anywhere else.
You’ll be right up in the hills (about 150 metres above sea level). It has very low crime rates and a small population of a little over 1,000.
This year, the average property value has shot up to around £500,000 as more people learn about it and hope to move there.
Newgale and Roch
Newgale and Roch is in Pembrokeshire. It’s technically two separate places combined into one.
Roch is the village inland from the coast, with its impressive castle. This was once part of a line of fortifications in South Wales. Newgale has little more than a few scattered buildings, but it’s well known for its magnificent two-mile beach.
Right in the southwest corner of Wales, you’re far away from the city life here. I recommend it if you want to escape the hustle and bustle. The sea air is good for everyone; out here, it’s about as fresh and lush as possible.
It’s a reasonably popular location for tourists in summer because of its impressive Atlantic waves. Expect to see surfers and kite surfers there every day. In the meantime, the caves and coves at the far end of the beach are well worth learning more about.
Interested in moving here? The average house price is just £220,000. A steal, if you ask me.
South Wales home surveys
As the Bank of England predicts a recession, we’re all a little wary of the near future. While times might be challenging for a little while, there’s no need to panic. Everything is always okay in the end.
Buying a house might seem like a dream at the moment, but it’s still possible. It’s certainly sensible to take precautions and ensure you get a reasonable, long-term mortgage rate. But South Wales is so stunning. Whether you’re moving from England or another part of Wales, I can’t recommend it enough.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and consider moving house, a home survey is so important. It’s crucial for both new builds and the historic properties you’ll find in villages like those mentioned above.
I’d be thrilled to have an informal chat with you about how home surveys work and why they can save you so much money. Get in touch using the form below (and ask for me, Felicity). If you prefer, you can contact me directly.
I can’t wait to hear from you.
Felicity Thomas, AssocRICS
