THE UK’s least desirable towns and regions have a wealth of affordable housing just waiting for homeowners with low standards.
While the chancellor pledges £39bn for social housing, locations like Mansfield, Northumberland and North Ayrshire have plentiful cheap properties ready for all those who have abandoned hope and resigned themselves to this.
Property expert Helen Archer said: “Forget London. Forget any other big city. But if you’ve looked in the mirror, sighed and recognised that Stoke-on-Trent is about your level, home ownership can be a reality.
“There’s a wealth of shitholes available: urban shitholes, rural shitholes, shitholes in Scotland and shitholes in Wales and shitholes by the sea. There’s one near you and you already know its name. Why not face facts and move there?
“Obviously the Midlands is riddled with them but there’s no shortage of deprived towns with ‘character’ and racially-motivated violence in the North. And wouldn’t it be so handy to be able to score crack just a few feet from your own front door?
“You can convince yourself you’ll gentrify the area if you want. We both know the process will go the other way.”
Charlotte Phelps said: “We’ve bought a two-bed terrace in County Durham outright for the price of a London deposit. And we’ve only had to compromise on absolutely everything.”
