![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_258556104-8f32.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s been named the UK\u2019s most affordable seaside town (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tIt\u2019s been named the UK\u2019s most affordable seaside town (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
As London<\/a> roasts in yet another heatwave<\/a>, you might be wondering \u2014 why am I still here? Honestly, we\u2019re not sure either, but we found a gorgeous seaside town that might just tempt you to escape.<\/p>\n Over the years, Cornwall <\/a>has become eye-wateringly expensive, and Brighton<\/a> is practically London-on-Sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n But not every seaside town requires a trust fund or a six-figure salary to move there.\u00a0<\/p>\n New research from the Co-operative Bank has revealed the UK\u2019s most affordable seaside towns<\/a> \u2014 and the winners make coastal living seem like a surprisingly realistic prospect.<\/p>\n For each place, the bank looked at average house prices, monthly rents, the house price to income ratio, and the proportion of salary that goes on rent to calculate an overall affordability score.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oban, a small town in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland<\/a>, came out on top of the list, with an overall affordability score of 9.82 out of 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tReady to start your homebuying journey?\t\t\t<\/p>\n You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from:<\/p>\n \u2013 Award winning service from the UK\u2019s leading mortgage broker<\/p>\n \u2013 Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week<\/p>\n \u2013 Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market<\/p>\n Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won\u2019t charge you a fee for their advice.<\/p>\n Find out how much you could borrow online<\/a><\/p>\n Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.<\/p>\n Often referred to as the seafood capital of the country, this picturesque spot offers some of the lowest average house prices (\u00a3220,458) and the most reasonable rents (\u00a3800 per month) which works out to just 34.7% of the average monthly income.<\/p>\n And a low cost of living isn\u2019t all it has going for itself.<\/p>\n Things to do in Oban\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Located on Scotland\u2019s west coast, Oban is a harbour town known for its fresh seafood and sea views. Surrounded by a rugged coastline and rolling hills, it\u2019s considered a gateway to the Hebrides and although its population is small (home to just over 8,000 people), the town has plenty to see and do.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t McCaig\u2019s Tower is its most notable attraction, a colosseum-like landmark that sits above the town, offering views of the bay and nearby islands. <\/p>\n Nestled beneath a cliff in the town centre, there\u2019s also Oban Distillery \u2013 one of the oldest in Scotland \u2013 where you can take a guided tour and sample some of its signature whiskies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Near the harbour, you\u2019ll find lots of fishing boats and ferries, along with plenty of local restaurants serving freshly caught seafood. But if history\u2019s more your thing, head just north of Oban to explore the 8,000-year-old ruins of Dunollie Castle,<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tLooking for an affordable seaside town? Head up north\t\t\t<\/p>\n Experts at Co-operative Bank<\/a> found two Lancashire seaside towns to be the most affordable in the UK. <\/p>\n Morecambe <\/strong>came second on the list, with an affordability score of 9.8 out of 10. \u2018This Lancashire gem captures the essence of the English seaside and has some of the most affordable house prices in the country,\u2019 the bank says. <\/p>\n \u2018The average house price here is actually lower than in Oban at \u00a3194,295, however, rent prices in Morecambe are slightly higher.\u2019<\/p>\n Blackpool <\/strong>tied with Morecambe for second place. The bank says: \u2018The average house comes in around \u00a3147,449 in Blackpool, making Blackpool the most affordable seaside town to purchase a property in the UK. Unfortunately, Blackpool is slightly let down by its rent prices. At an average of \u00a3704 per month, rent in Blackpool works out as 40% of the average monthly salary.\u2019<\/p>\n Transport links in Oban\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It might feel remote to some, but Oban is well-connected. <\/p>\n Scotrail runs regular daily trains to and from Glasgow, with tickets starting from around \u00a320. The scenic journey does take about three hours by rail, but since it runs through the Highlands, you\u2019re spoilt for beautiful scenery.<\/p>\n Oban also serves as the main ferry port for those wanting to reach the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa and is often used as a base for island-hopping.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t Oban has been described as a \u2018paradise\u2019 for seafood lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and many locals have raved about life there, declaring it a \u2018gorgeous part of the world\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n One resident on Mumsnet wrote: \u2018Oban is beautiful, a wonderful place to live and work. Winters are mild, being on the west coast. You get used to midges, they are not the big problem everyone thinks they are, especially by the coast, a bit of sea breeze and they can\u2019t fly so won\u2019t bother you.\u2019<\/p>\n Others praised its pace of life compared to the city, including Redditor Stevoknevo70 who commented: \u2018I\u2019ve lived in Oban for six years now, wild horses couldn\u2019t drag me back to Glasgow. Wonderful place to raise a family, can be on the beach in under 10 minutes, and easy access to numerous islands.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t According to Rightmove, the majority of properties sold in Oban during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of \u00a3151,783. Detached properties sold for an average of \u00a3351,993, with semi-detached properties fetching \u00a3227,786.<\/p>\n So, while you might not secure a five-bedroom beachside property for \u00a3200,000, there are definitely affordable options.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tThe 10 most affordable seaside towns in the UK \t\t\t<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"September](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_258556056-343b.jpg\")
\n\t\tOban is a \u2018paradise\u2019 for seafood lovers(Credits: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_254381092-dc96.jpg\")
\n\t\tOban is located on Scotland\u2019s west coast (Picture: Metro)
\nWhat people are saying about Oban\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Oban,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_258556102-06f3.jpg\")
\n\t\tOban Distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland (Picture: Getty Images)
\nHouse prices in Oban\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
\nMORE: What I Own: We bought our \u00a3500,000 Woolwich two-bed before 30 \u2014 we saved for two years<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Thousands of jobs at risk across UK with pub closures at alarming rates<\/a><\/p>\n