The South East spans a huge part of the UK, including hotspots like Reading, Brighton and Winchester.

Over the last year, property prices were, on average, £540,354. But you can buy property for a lot cheaper if you know where to look. 

Rightmove has revealed the more affordable areas in the South East to buy, based on average asking prices from May 2023.

Where are the cheapest places to live in the South East?

Southampton City Centre

You can buy property in Southampton City Centre for under half the regional average. A home in the area will typically set you back £230,278.

There are many attractions in the city centre, including a theatre, museums and several parks. It is only 90 minutes from London and Bath by train and less than an hour from Reading.

Ocean Village

The second most affordable area is Ocean Village, a development in Southampton with an average asking price of £242,225.

Less than a 20-minute walk from the city centre, Ocean Village is near shops, bars, restaurants and a cinema. As the name suggests, it’s also only minutes from the waterfront.

Brompton

Brompton, a village near the town of Chatham in Kent, is among the cheapest places to live in the South East with an average asking price of £251,548.

It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Historic Dockyard in Chatham and has a nearby shopping centre. You can get to London in just over an hour by public transport.

East Cowes

East Cowes, a town in the Isle of Wight, has an average asking price of £255,978.

It’s well-known for yachting, with many events taking place during Cowes Week, the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. 

While Southampton is an hour and a half away by train and will take you at least an hour to get to Portsmouth, London is much further, at least three hours away by public transport.

Whippingham

Finally, Whippingham, a village on the Isle of Wight, has an average asking price of £256,555. It’s not far from East Cowes, which is also among the cheapest places to live in the South East. 

The village is known for its connection with Queen Victoria, especially St Mildred’s Church, which she used when she was in residence at Osbourne House.

Talking to a mortgage broker can help you find the right mortgage once you’ve decided on your ideal place to live.

You can find an independent mortgage broker on Unbiased.

See also:

The most expensive places to live in the South East

The cheapest places to live in London

The cheapest places to live in Yorkshire

The cheapest places to live in the West Midlands

The cheapest places to live in Wales