This ‘beautiful’ seaside town has been named one of UK’s most affordable for families

Though many of us dream of owning our own homes, the UK housing ladder and affordability don’t always go hand-in-hand.

Now, one ‘beautiful’ seaside town has been named among the UK’s most affordable for families.

Nestled up in Inverclyde in Scotland, you’ll find Greenock – just 23 miles from Glasgow, which is one of the country’s most bustling commuter destinations.

As per a new study, which assessed local housing prices and nursery costs, Greenock is the 20^th most affordable place to raise a family in Britain.

Meanwhile, Hanley in Staffordshire, Nelson in Lancashire and Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire were ranked in first, second and third place respectively.

Looking for a fresh start and a new home? Here’s everything you need to know about Greenock, from house prices and transport links to activities in the local area.

According to the Daily Mail’s research, – which is markedly cheaper than figures across the UK, which, according to Gov UK data, was £288,000 in June 2024.

However, Rightmove places these figures even lower, suggesting average prices of £115,364 over the last year (though these numbers were 3% up on 2023).

Elsewhere, council tax rates (set by Inverclyde Council) vary depending on the value of the property for the 2024/25 period, but the rates for houses ranging from £106,001 to £212,000 – where the average house price sits – are currently £3,029.56 per year.

The upper limit, for properties valued at £212,001 and over, is £3,790.17, while the lowest price is £1,031.34 (anything between £0 and £27,000).

If you’re looking to start a family here or if you’ve already got little ones, full-time nursery fees are also relatively low here at £290 per week.

While that might not sound like such a steal, it’s cheap compared to London and the East Midlands – where, according to Day Nurseries, weekly costs come in at £430.75 and £246.76.

If you’re looking to escape the concrete in favour of countryside views, Greenock is the key to some of Scotland’s most beautiful greenery. The clue is in the name, right?

Lyle Hill in the western part of the town has viewpoints across the picturesque countryside. The highest point, Craigs Top, stands at 426 feet above sea level, with views of Gourock, the Firth of Clyde and Cowal.

In fact, the entire town is incredibly hilly, so climbing one of the viewpoints is certainly not for the faint-hearted – but it’s certainly worth it for the views, which, according to Metro’s own Ross McCafferty, are best when it’s cool but clear during the winter months.

There’s also Greenock Cut, an aqueduct built in the 19^th century that measures a whopping 6.5km. Though it stopped supplying the local area with water in the 1970s, it continues to serve the local community with its stunning views over the Clyde estuary and towards the Scottish Highlands.

Want to feel closer to the water? The Firth of Clyde surrounds the town and has some of the deepest waters in the British Isles. The Esplanade is one of the top-rated views in the local area, according to Tripadvisor, offering a hearty walk along the waterfront and views of the passing cruise ships.

If you’re after a spot of local history, there’s also the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Museum and Heritage Centre. Housed in a former fire station, it opens to the public for one Sunday every month, as well as the days when cruise ships dock in Greenock’s port.

Meanwhile, the Beacon Arts Centre is a contemporary theatre and arts venue, hosting two performance spaces and a bar for visitors. Each Christmas, it puts on a pantomime – and this year, it’s selected Jack and the Beanstalk as its festive choice.

Interested in fitness? There’s the Inverclyde Leisure Outdoor Pool in Gourock – the neighbourhood directly next to Greenock. A salt water public lido, it’s the oldest heated swimming pool in Scotland.

Back towards Greenock, there’s a large leisure centre in the form of the Waterfront, featuring a gym, health suite, two swimming pools and even an ice rink.

Budding football supporters will also be pleased to know that Greenock Morton FC play in the Scottish Championship, and, founded in 1874, it’s one of Scotland’s oldest clubs.

Looking for a culinary treat? There are a range of cafes over in Gourock, including The Cove and Bluebird Café, while Greenock is home to a new cruise terminal which has a restaurant called Scott’s, nestled on the shorefront with stunning views of the Clyde.

And during the summer months, you can try a local delicacy at the Esplanade Café – which specialises in tablet ice cream, AKA a traditional sweet made from sugar, butter and condensed milk.

Needing to commute elsewhere in Scotland? Greenock’s train station is nestled right in the town centre, with taking as little as 33 minutes.

If you’re wanting to go slightly further afield to the capital city, this will take you closer to 2 hours and 10 minutes – but you can change in Glasgow Central for the direct train to Edinburgh Waverley.

Fancy getting up close to the water? There are ferries connecting Hunter’s Quay, Dunoon, Gourock and Greenock, operating roughly twice per hour.

Shall we see you up in bonnie Scotland?

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