Seaside town with 'big salaries' rated best in Wales for a change of scene

A classic seaside town in Conwy is among of the best in the UK for people looking for permanent a change of scene, new research suggests. Llandudno much to offer homeowners looking to relocate to the seaside for a bracing dose of fresh air.

The resort has long been renowned for its picturesque views and impressive architecture. Few people need convincing it’s a nice place to live - but data has been compiled to reinforce these good first impressions.

A study by My Baggage looked at key factors such as house pricing, salaries and climate to calculate which resorts are the best coastal spots for a change of pace.

These ranked Llandudno in fourth spot in the UK, behind three seaside towns in England. Securing top spot was Margate with another Kent town, Whitstable, in third place. Sandwiched between them was Whitby in Yorkshire.

Llandudno headed the Welsh list, ahead of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire where house prices were reportedly more costly.

Giving advice to a Midlands couple looking to relocate to the area, one person said online: “Always job opportunities along the coast as well and Llandudno is very close to everything you need. Also a beautiful area. Property isn’t the cheapest though if you’re hoping to rent.”

The Queen of Welsh Resorts is also rated as one of the UK's top 10 seaside towns for a budget break, according to Which? Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

A colourful palette of properties overlooking Llandudno Pier (Image: Getty)

Llandudno received a relocation score of 88.1, partly thanks to one factor that might raise a few eyebrows. Amongst the top coastal towns rankled by My Baggage, Llandudno’s residents were reported as having the highest median annual salaries.

Even assuming this refers to gross household incomes, the figure of £85,050 seems extraordinary. In Fishguard the figure was £57,542 and in Margate it was just £32,415.

According to the Office of National Statistics, its most recent figures, from 2022, showed an average household income in Llandudno of £31,500 – though this is a net figure. People living in Pen-y-Ffordd and Higher Kinnerton, Flintshire, pocketed almost twice as much.

Fishguard fares better for eating out, with 25 restaurants per 1,000 residents - compared with Llandudno’s figure of 10. But the data shows property is more affordable in North Wales: average house prices in Llandudno were put at £284,945, compared with £293,254 in Fishguard.

Rightmove data indicates houses in Llandudno sold for an overall average of £236,394 over the last year. This was 3% up on the previous 12 months, suggesting people are already well aware of the town’s merits. The majority were flats, selling for an average price of £153,941.

Other factors contributing to Llandudno’s high relocation score included strong broadband speeds. Not mentioned was the area’s poor reputation for mobile signal reception.

The resort’s standout feature is, of course its seafront, which is home to Wales’ longest pier at 2,295ft. Its town centre was historically filled with independent shops, though like all places across Britain it has not been immune from retail pressures.

The Great Orme is a signature landmark, offering multiple recreation opportunities. Its goats are are a popular attraction for visitors, perhaps less so for homeowners when their gardens are invaded.

The town is also home to the renowned Bronze Age Great Orme Mines. Hidden beneath the streets is a vast network of tunnels dug by Victorian copper miners. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox