2<\/p>\n The town centre was praised for its shopping optionsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n The study compared different areas to buy a\u00a0house<\/a> in a bid to help first-time buyers<\/a> get on the property<\/a> ladder.<\/p>\n And it found that a town in East Ayrshire<\/a> came out on top, offering homes<\/a> with average property prices lower than the national average.<\/p>\n Kilmarnock<\/a> was named the cheapest area for first-time buyers, with the average asking price coming in at \u00a384,325.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0the Registers of Scotland<\/a> and the UK<\/a> House Price Index from HM Land Registry, the average house price across Scotland in May 2025 was \u00a3192,000.<\/p>\n Across the UK, a home<\/a> sold for an average of \u00a3269,000 in the same month.<\/p>\n However, in Kilmarnock, the average house price in East Ayrshire was \u00a3129,000 – which is \u00a363,000 less than the national average, and \u00a3140,000 less than the UK average.<\/p>\n Detached properties went for an average of \u00a3215,000, while semi-detached properties came in at around \u00a3142,000.<\/p>\n Flats and maisonettes sold for around \u00a373,000 on average, and a terraced property came in at \u00a3111,000.<\/p>\n And locals have praised the town for being a friendly place which have a vibrant shopping<\/a> scene.<\/p>\n VisitScotland also noted that the town centre has a wide range of different shops which provide a “great retail<\/a> mix”.<\/p>\n This house has appeared on dozens of hit TV shows – but would YOU recognise it?<\/p>\n It also highlights the various attractions in Kilmarnock and the activities that families<\/a> and visitors can enjoy.<\/p>\n The travel<\/a> experts say: “Located in the heart of Ayrshire, Kilmarnock has much to offer with its unique mix of culture, retail and leisure.<\/p>\n “The town centre is well-known for its wide range of independent niche shops which, combined with many of the familiar high street stores, offers a great retail mix.”<\/p>\n “Bank Street is a charming cobbled street in the historic core, with the elegant John Finnie Street boasting one of the best examples of provincial Victorian architecture<\/a> in Scotland. <\/p>\n “The Dick Institute and Palace Theatre<\/a> offer first class cultural and leisure experiences within the town centre, with the Burns Monument Centre close by in the beautiful setting of Kay Park. <\/p>\n “Dean Castle and Country Park offer a fantastic day out for all the family<\/a> with a programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year.”<\/p>\n One resident told the Daily Record<\/a> that the shopping areas draw locals and visitors alike, but says he wishes there were bigger companies<\/a> in the area to offer people more job<\/a> opportunities.<\/p>\n Andrew Reith, 41, of Zenith Coins, said: \u201cThe town has some nice parks, and there are a few places for public entertainment. <\/p>\n “The shopping area is quite popular, and both tourists and locals enjoy wandering around it.<\/p>\n \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 The 10 cheapest areas for first-time buyers across the UK<\/p>\n HERE is the full list of the 10 cheapest areas for first-time buyers across the UK<\/p>\n However, others said some people could be put off by the lack of local schools<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another resident told The\u00a0Express<\/a>: \u201cMany people in Kilmarnock rely on Government<\/a> benefits<\/a> and lack ambition and zeal to work<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Most people are looking to send their children<\/a> to the schools in Troon<\/a> 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 David McDowall, head of economic growth in East Ayrshire Council, told the Daily Record there are several factors drawing more people to the town.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWe are happy to see Kilmarnock is featuring as one of the more economical places to live\u2026<\/p>\n “Over the past 15 years, our Regeneration and Business<\/a> Support teams have attracted investment to enable the redevelopment of the town centre\u2026 breathing new life into the town\u2019s conservation area.”<\/p>\n Read more on the Scottish Sun<\/p>\n David also noted that \u201cweathered the storm of closures of the mass industries such as whisky<\/a> bottling, shoe making, carpet making, textiles and heavy engineering\u201d.<\/p>\n But added that it is now \u201cexperiencing a resurgence\u201d with new small and medium enterprises.<\/p>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/titchfield-street-kilmarnock-799291956.jpg\")
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