{"id":342559,"date":"2025-08-14T00:59:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T00:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/342559\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T00:59:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T00:59:18","slug":"historic-scottish-town-with-charming-streets-with-some-of-uks-cheapest-houses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/342559\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic Scottish town with &#8216;charming&#8217; streets with some of UK&#8217;s cheapest houses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Homes in town sold for an average of \u00a3154,688 last year, with prices rising from the previous year.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Kilmarnock.jpg\" alt=\"A picture of Kilmarnock\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Kilmarnock(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">A historic town in East Ayrshire, has been named one of the cheapest places to live in the UK, with locals praising its vibrant shopping scene and friendly atmosphere. Ranked by property website Rightmove as the most affordable location in Scotland for first-time buyers, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/kilmarnock\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"KilmarnockLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Kilmarnock<\/a> offers average property prices far below the national average.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">According to Rightmove, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/lifestyle\/property\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"homesLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">homes<\/a> in Kilmarnock sold for an average of \u00a3154,688 over the past year. Flats went for an average of \u00a375,868, while semi-detached properties fetched \u00a3161,391 and terraced houses \u00a3115,793. Prices were up seven percent compared to the previous year and four per cent higher than the 2022 peak.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">With a population of over 47,000, Kilmarnock\u2019s housing costs are more than five times lower than London, where the average flat is priced at \u00a3590,543. The town\u2019s mix of cultural heritage, green spaces and shopping options has helped make it an attractive choice for buyers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Kilmarnock boasts an impressive list of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/whats-on\/arts-culture-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"culturalLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">cultural<\/a> landmarks, including Scotland\u2019s largest Burns Monument, the Dick Institute and the Palace Theatre. The town centre offers a variety of independent shops alongside well-known high street names.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755133157_338_0_Kilmarnock.jpg\" alt=\"A picture of Kilmarnock\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Kilmarnock offers low housing costs and a rich mix of culture, green spaces, and shopping.(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Tourism board VisitScotland described Bank Street as \u201ca charming cobbled street in the historic core, with the elegant John Finnie Street boasting one of the best examples of provincial Victorian architecture in Scotland.\u201d It also highlighted Dean <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/castles\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"CastleLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Castle<\/a> and Country Park as \u201ca fantastic day out for all the family\u201d and praised the Burns Monument Centre\u2019s location in the scenic Kay Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">For many residents, the town\u2019s appeal lies in its character and accessibility. Andrew Reith, 41, of Zenith Coins, who has worked in Kilmarnock for five years, said: \u201cThe town has some nice parks, and there are a few places for public entertainment. The shopping area is quite popular, and both tourists and locals enjoy wandering around it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cWhat I feel is that the town could benefit from a couple of large organisations, such as factories, to create more job opportunities for people living in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">However, others say the town still faces challenges. One resident told The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/news\/uk\/2091711\/beautiful-little-uk-town-cheapest-75k\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ExpressLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Express<\/a>: \u201cMany people in Kilmarnock rely on Government benefits and lack ambition and zeal to work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;Most people are looking to send their children to the schools in Troon which is around 15 to 20 minutes away from Kilmarnock and is home to some of the most affluent people in the town.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">While some streets offer homes priced between \u00a375,000 and \u00a384,000, others feature properties worth \u00a3500,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Tracey Oakley, a property adviser with Donald Ross Residential, noted: \u201cKilmarnock is a huge area and it would not be right to say that the houses are cheap [everywhere] here. The town is not very far from Glasgow and has a lovely shopping centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cThe properties which are put on the market are being sold in just two to six weeks, showing its popularity among the buyers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1747398730_254_0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\" alt=\"\"  \/>Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">You&#8217;ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">All you have to do is <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/BZamc48XMaoEqKkIN7GWxV\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">click here if you&#8217;re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select &#8216;Join Community&#8217; and you&#8217;re in!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">If you&#8217;re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click &#8216;Join Community&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose &#8216;exit group&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">If you\u2019re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/privacy-notice\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/east-ayrshire\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"East AyrshireLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">East Ayrshire<\/a> Council says the town\u2019s vibrancy is being boosted by regeneration efforts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">David McDowall, head of economic growth, said: \u201cWe are happy to see Kilmarnock is featuring as one of the more economical places to live\u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;Over the past 15 years, our Regeneration and Business Support teams have attracted investment to enable the redevelopment of the town centre\u2026 breathing new life into the town\u2019s conservation area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">He added that Kilmarnock has \u201cweathered the storm of closures of the mass industries such as whisky bottling, shoe making, carpet making, textiles and heavy engineering\u201d and is now \u201cexperiencing a resurgence\u201d with new small and medium enterprises.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Homes in town sold for an average of \u00a3154,688 last year, with prices rising from the previous year.Kilmarnock(Image:&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":342560,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5009],"tags":[748,121855,918,4884,61088,712,119162,16,15,15469],"class_list":{"0":"post-342559","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-scotland","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-east-ayrshire-council","10":"tag-glasgow","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-kilmarnock","13":"tag-scotland","14":"tag-troon","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom","17":"tag-whisky"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115024413656341236","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342559"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342559\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/342560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}