No matter your age, living in Gwynedd offers plentiful opportunities and a fantastic quality of life.
From its breathtaking coastlines to picturesque villages tucked between mountainous valleys, there’s so much to say for the landscape. So, when you add to that the varied and active lifestyle possibilities and generally low cost of living in the area, it’s easy to see why this part of North Wales makes such a popular choice for families, couples, and solo professionals alike.
Whether you’re thinking of moving or just doing your research now, it’s always worth finding out a few of the best bits about Gwynedd.
Three reasons to live in Gwynedd
- Active, coastal lifestyle
North Wales is perhaps best known for being home to the world-famous Snowdonia National Park, a stunning natural landscape covering over 800 square miles of mountainous terrain. You don’t need to be a climber or a mountaineer to enjoy the best it has to offer, though.
Friendly and welcoming local communities give a warm, atmospheric feel to the towns and villages nestled between rolling hills. There are plenty of local businesses, including gastropubs and destinations for fine dining, promising a fulfilling and enriching experience.
Gwynedd is a centre for outdoor pursuits and cultural heritage alike, so it’s perfectly suited both to those seeking a calm retreat or an adventurous, outdoorsy lifestyle.
- Low house prices
An exclusive investigation by fitted furniture experts Hammonds sought to find out not only which locations were the most photogenic, but also to award each one ‘affordability’ scores out of 100.
Gwynedd towns secured two spots on a list of the most ‘Instagrammable’ yet affordable places to live in the UK. The first was Portmeirion, a picturesque and colourful hotspot with architectural details inspired by the French Riviera. The next was Barmouth, which scored an impressive 82/100 for affordability.
Hammonds’ study found that Portmeirion offers buyers the most for their money, with houses in the town costing £172,875 on average. That’s over £100,000 less than the cost of the average UK property and at least 26% cheaper than other locations in the photogenic county of Gwynedd.
- Picturesque towns and villages
Lastly, living in a beautiful place is beneficial for almost every aspect of your wellbeing. Coastal areas in Gwynedd offer some of the cleanest air in Wales and across the UK.
Cleaner air promotes lung health and improved sleep quality, and when you love your local area, you’ll be more inclined to spend time outdoors too. Studies suggest that spending extended periods inside can affect your health, and this is especially true through winter.
Hammonds’ list of picturesque locations found that both Portmeirion and Barmouth cored highly as some of the most affordable yet beautiful places to live in the UK, with the former taking the competitive third spot.
You can always make the inside of your home more attractive, so why not invest in the area outside your home too? If you’re lucky enough to be able to choose your surroundings, it’s worth thinking carefully about the life that’s waiting for you in North Wales.