Where to? Best places in Cardiff for first time buyers
If you’re ready to get your foot on the property ladder but aren't sure where to lay down your roots, here’s CPS Homes’ guide to the ‘up-and-coming’ areas that are popular with first-time buyers in Cardiff.
Pontprennau
The commute
Closest train station: 2.2 miles (Llanishen).
Easy access to M4.
Buses run to Cardiff city centre every 7-8 minutes during peak time.
On my doorstep
The area features dentists and two doctors’ surgeries, as well as a private hospital.
The Pontprennau Community Education Centre provides, amongst other facilities, a regular children’s playgroup. There’s also a broad choice of schools, with English and Welsh-speaking options for both primary and secondary schools.
Supermarkets Asda, Lidl and Waitrose cater to Pontprennau, and there are a number of family pubs and restaurants such as the Village Inn & Harvesters.
What can I afford?
The average house price for a two-bed starter home is - £144,412.*
Canton
The commute
Closest train station is 0.5 miles.
Next door to the city centre, it benefits from close links and frequent buses.
On my doorstep
Canton boasts its own library and Chapter Arts Centre, which hosts plays, performing arts, films and live music.
Victoria Park remains a local favourite, particularly in the summer months. It’s even been used in the filming of recent Doctor Who episodes.
Despite its proximity to Cardiff city centre, Canton still retains many small independent shops, cafes and pubs.
Did you know? Canton was formally known for its medieval market dating back to 1250
What can I afford?
The average house price for a two bed starter home is £158,000.*
Splott
The commute
Closest train station is 1 mile away on Queen St.
Close to the City Centre and Newport Rd, a main route in and out of the city allows for quick bus and road access in and out of the area.
On my doorstep
Splott Road, whilst a modest street in itself, is the hub of Splott, with everything a community needs including a library and leisure centre central to it. The refurbishment of the Star Centre and library mean residents enjoy a particularly high standard of facilities. Whilst you won't find any fashion stores along the main shopping street, there are plenty of cafes, convenience stores, a great Portuguese deli, vegetarian restaurant and florist, allowing for easy living in the area. Lest we forget the dentist, doctors surgery and post office.
What can I afford?
The average house price for a first-time buyer starter home is £120,000.*
Cardiff Bay
The commute
As Cardiff Bay boasts its own train station and frequent links to Cardiff Central, it makes for an easy commute.
The A4232 link road makes for easy access to the M4 via the Bute tunnels.
The Bay Circle bus route links most of the major areas including the city centre with frequent services.
On my doorstep
The attractiveness of former ‘Tiger Bay’ increases year upon year, with new facilities for its residents always popping up. Mermaid Quay houses all manner of eateries, bars, shops and a comedy club, remaining ever-humbled by the attractive Welsh Millennium Centre as its neighbour. With a reputation that precedes it, the WMC flies the flag for Welsh theatre production at its finest, whilst also attracting West End musical tours.
Cardiff International Sports Village continues to grow and is home to an ice rink, large swimming pool, white water rafting and surfing, not to mention a large supermarket. Across the way, the Cardiff Bay retail park features popular coffee shops, retail outlets and IKEA.
What can I afford?
The average property price for a first-time buyer - £158,000.*
* Source: zoopla.com
