What’s the well-heeled suburb in your area? Most will have a name that springs to mind, from Sutton Coldfield to Didsbury or Mumbles.
But savvy home hunters know the real way to win in the property market is to find the up-and-coming areas, rather than those that have already risen to the top.
So how much more house could you get for your money by swapping to a postcode with potential?
We have identified areas within four miles of some of England and Wales’ smartest locations where buyers can secure a similar home for tens or hundreds of thousands less – or get a much bigger one for the same money.
Are these the hotspots of the future? Only time will tell – but for buyers searching for a good deal, the data suggests they are worth a second look.
And you can search for your own ideal affordable area with our nifty new interactive map.
Enter the type of property you would want and your budget, then drill down into house price data on almost 7,000 neighbourhoods to find out how far your money will go.
Bristol: Swap Redland for Westbury
A semi-detached property in the inner Bristol district of Redland & St Andrew’s sets buyers back a wince-inducing £950,000. It’s home to top schools, quirky independent shops and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
But even a family with £650,000 to spend would find just 6pc cent of semis were in their price range. However, if they moved two miles north to Westbury Village, they could afford 60pc of semi-detached homes, with the average coming in just under budget at £642,000.
Matthew Leonard of estate agent Winkworth’s Bath and Bishopston branches said: ‘Area swaps are common throughout the South West, with rising prices in the more affluent parts of the cities encouraging families to buy on the fringes of these areas instead.
‘Westbury is just outside the epicentre of Redland but has large numbers of properties which are more affordable.
‘It is well equipped in terms of amenities with good shopping, access to schools, and hospitals and other facilities.’
Westbury: The area has a village atmosphere, lots of amenities – and more affordable homes than some of its neighbours
Birmingham: Swap Sutton Coldfield for Kingstanding
In the West Midlands, a family seeking a detached home for £500,000 might find affluent Sutton Coldfield North & Park a bit of a stretch.
Just 23pc of homes in the area, which includes the Sutton Park nature reserve and gated Four Oaks Estate, which is popular with footballers, would be in their budget with the average price of a detached home sitting at £653,000.
Those not on a Premier League wage can head to neighbouring Kingstanding North and pick up a detached home for almost half the price at £329,000. There 98pc of properties are within a £500,000 budget.
Kingstanding has lots of 1930s and 40s homes, popular with first-time buyers and young families due to their more affordable prices.
Green acres: Kingstanding is home to the expansive Witton Lakes nature park and reservoirs
The area includes the Witton Lakes nature park and woodland, and is also close to the Alexander Stadium athletics arena, which hosted the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
Katie Ridley, group sales director at John Shepherd estate agents said: ‘Kingstanding is a good entry point into the market as the properties offer desirable layouts and space.
‘Buyers can often find traditional 1930s and post-war family homes with generous gardens, and many have potential to extend or modernise.
‘Sutton Coldfield is within walking distance or a small drive away, but Kingstanding holds a notable difference in average price points.’
Leeds: Swap Collingham for Wetherby
Collingham, Rigton and Harewood are picturesque villages on the outskirts of Leeds. The average detached home costs £625,000, with less than a third costing under £500,000.
Head to neighbouring Wetherby East and Thorp Arch and it is a different story. A detached home costs £351,000, and 81pc are under £500,000.
The pretty market town of Wetherby on the River Wharfe is increasingly popular thanks to its Georgian architecture, lively markets and good connections to Leeds, Harrogate and York.
Elise Bowler, branch manager at Linley & Simpson estate agents said: ‘One of the major upsides to living in Wetherby is the fact you get the benefits of a close community, coupled with town living and a busier environment when you want it.
‘There is a big variety of properties available in Wetherby as opposed to Collingham, with more options of public transport too. In Wetherby, there are properties to suit everyone, at different stages of their lives.’
Manchester: Swap Didsbury for Northenden
Didsbury in Manchester is one of the city’s smartest neighbourhoods, with the typical detached home setting families back £705,000 and just a third within a £500,000 budget.
But move slightly to the south to neighbouring Northenden, and you’ll find 91 pc of detached properties cost less than half a million, with the average coming in at a much more wallet-friendly £357,000.
James Stonehewer, branch manager at Thornley Groves estate agent in Didsbury said: ‘Northenden offers fantastic value for money compared to its pricier neighbour, Didsbury.
‘It has a similar leafy, riverside feel and a growing café and restaurant scene, but homes here cost almost half as much.
‘Buyers can find generous detached and semi-detached properties with gardens and parking, often for the price of a Didsbury flat.’
Near neighours: But swapping Manchester’s Didsbury for Northenden could shave thousands off the cost of a typical detached property
London: Swap Richmond Park for New Malden
With its expansive green spaces, roaming deer and prestigious homes, it is no wonder the area including Richmond Park, and nearby Sheen Gate & Petersham in south west London has a history of attracting celebrity residents such as Mick Jagger and Colin Firth.
Even a terraced home in the area costs £1million, with only a third (34pc) of terraced properties under £800,000.
A move slightly further south to New Malden West could see a young family snap up a terrace for an average of £661,000, with 78pc of homes under £800,000.
Resident: Estate agent James Redington moved to New Malden nine years ago
James Redington, managing director of estate agent Douglas & Gordon moved to New Malden from pricier Wimbledon nine years ago with his young family.
He said: ‘My wife and I moved from Wimbledon, a more expensive location in the area, nine years ago when we were looking to upsize and find suitable schools for our boys.
‘Surrounded by more populous and expensive areas, you have very easy access to what those places have to offer but without having to pay the price tag to live in them. You could say it is a valley of value.
‘It’s changing significantly with new bars, coffee shops and well-known brands moving into the local high street, and Marks & Spencer opened last year.’
It’s home to some of the capital’s best East Asian restaurants thanks to its large South Korean population, as well as a golf course and the training ground of Fulham football club.
Kieran McCartney Jones, director of estate agent McCartney and Partners, added: ‘It’s family-friendly, with good schools and plenty of local services.
‘Life here is more about convenience and community than wide-open spaces, but it has its own charm, with a busy high street and lots of friendly neighbours.’
Bustling: Agents say New Malden is family-friendly with a busy high streets – and homes are far more affordable than affluent Richmond Park
Newcastle: Swap Whitley Bay for Monkseaton
Sitting 10 miles north east of Newcastle city centre, Whitley Sands boasts a Blue Flag beach, independent shops and scenic views.
A detached home will set buyers back £545,000, with only 20pc of homes within a £400,000 budget.
Move a fraction away from the seafront to Monkseaton, though, and you can chop more than £200,000 off the asking price of a detached home at £325,000.
Some 73pc of detached homes come in under £400,000.
Swansea: Swap Mumbles for Killay
They may be separated by just over four miles, but the price of a detached home in the seaside enclave of Mumbles and Newton and in the quiet inland villages of Dunvant and Killay are worlds apart, coming in at £521,000 and £273,000, respectively.
Yet, both have easy access to the picturesque beaches and trails of the Gower Peninsula.
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