Move to these affordable seaside locations in 2022 that won't break the bank. Being an island means there’s a lot of coast to go round, and some parts are more reasonably priced than others. So, shop around – you might find that it’s easier than you think to make it happen
1 Orkney
Keep your ear to the ground if you want to relocate to Orkney – properties get snapped up quickly by people wanting to live the wonderful Orcadian way of life. Choose the mainland for your new family home or look to rural areas and the islands for crofts or farms with land. If you’re prepared to take on a project, or even build your own house, you’ll be richly rewarded.
Average house price: £188,227
2 Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is rumoured to have the highest quality of life in Scotland, so attention is turning to towns such as Fraserburgh, a working, undeniably windswept port 50 miles north of the city, where the Moray Firth meets the North Sea. As well as a busy commercial fishing fleet, this town has an award-winning beach and the fascinating Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
Average house price: £162,817
3 Rhyl, Denbighshire 
This seaside resort on the north-east coast of Wales has been a bit down on its luck since its heyday, when workers from Merseyside flocked here for holidays and day trips, but those in the know say the tide is turning once again. The town has Britain’s oldest miniature railway and an indoor water park, but the real attractions are its beaches – almost two miles of sand stretching from the Clwyd Estuary to Splash Point. Your house-hunting budget will go a long way here, too, with bargains galore, especially
if you want a fixer-upper.
Average house price: £152,035
4 Lowestoft, Suffolk 
This old-fashioned seaside town might not be the prettiest in Suffolk but it has plenty of period properties, from small Victorian terraces to seafront flats. Living in the UK’s most easterly town is not too expensive and you’ll have fantastic sandy beaches, seafront gardens, two piers, plenty of family attractions and easy access to the Broads.
Average house price: £228,411
5 Walton-on-the Naze, Essex
Walton-on-the-Naze is more down-to-earth than its neighbour, Frinton-on-Sea, and is certainly more affordable. The town has lots to offer, including Walton pier – which is currently being revamped – plus the 86ft navigational Naze Tower, amusements galore, saltmarshes and sandy beaches. Choose from 1920s semis and modern bungalows to fishermen’s terraces and beach huts.
Average house price: £256,686
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6 Bridlington, East Yorkshire 
Bridlington has a loyal following thanks to its traditional charm and family-friendly reputation. Think long, sandy beaches and period buildings in the Old Town that hark back to its glory days. As well as Victorian property, buyers are drawn by the wonderful coastline, the cultural offerings at Bridlington Spa, the town’s new leisure centre and a thriving sailing scene at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club.
Average house price: £169,265
7 Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea has a strong community atmosphere, a good beach and great wildlife-spotting due to its position on a North Sea headland. Seals, dolphins and whales can often be seen passing the bay. Residents boast that they have the longest promenade in the county and the oldest operational lifeboat boathouse in the UK, plus a Maritime Centre to celebrate their seafaring past.
Average house price: £116,813
8 Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
It’s all about traditional seaside pursuits at Mablethorpe, from beach huts and donkey rides to cafés and caravans. People love this peaceful and somewhat isolated town for its sand dunes and Blue Flag beach with golden sand. Among the myriad bungalows and park homes for sale here, you’ll also find some late Victorian and Edwardian townhouses near the seafront.
Average house price £170,575
9 Dunoon, Argyll & Bute
The main town on the Cowal Peninsula, on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, Dunoon is just 30 miles from Glasgow but feels a world away. It has an attractive promenade, a large Victorian pier, a castle and one of the dinkiest cinemas in Scotland. Plus, it’s a great base for all manner of outdoor activities. Handsome waterfront houses can often be found for sale on the coastal roads that twist around the nearby shoreline.
Average house price: £153,486
10 Barry, Glamorgan
Said to be one of the most desirable places to live in Wales, Barry continues to bask in the glory of its starring role in the popular BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. This seaside town is only nine miles from Cardiff yet it has green spaces, four beaches, a pleasure park and lots of affordable houses ranging from traditional semis to new apartments by the water.
Average house price: £207,752
For more property inspiration read our 10 best up and coming sea-side towns, browse through the latest seaside homes for sale or pick up the latest copy of coast magazine for more coastal property news.
