Searching for a house in Cardiff is a very stressful experience. With housing in short supply and demand increasing all the time, prices have soared in recent years with prospective buyers faced with the increasingly expensive challenge of finding somewhere to live.
The average cost of a house in the city rose to a staggering £299,592 in the third quarter of 2022 – a 7.4% increase on the previous year – according to the Wales House Price Index, with many areas of the capital well above this figure. A quiet street in Whitchurch, for example, has been dubbed the city's very own Millionaire's Row with house prices there averaging just over £1 million.
The situation has left many people looking to buy homes in a desperate situation, with houses that they could previously afford now way out of their price range while facing a fight with hundreds of other buyers to secure those that are within budget. Get the latest news from Cardiff sent straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter.
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However it is good to know that there are still some places on the market in the capital that come with a relatively cheap price tag. They may not be huge great mansions with expanses of land but they're attractive, affordable solutions for those looking to find a place of their own. Some even come their own quirks such as picturesque views or access to a swimming pool and gym.
So if you're someone who's looking to move on a budget here are the best apartments you can buy in the city for less than £100,000. All listings (taken from Zoopla and Rightmove) are accurate as of January 12, 2023.
Meirion Place - £65,000
This one-bed ground floor flat in Tremorfa is one of the cheapest properties available in the whole of Cardiff. Within walking distance of local shops and other amenities, it also provides easy access to the city centre and the A48 and M4.
The property offers a double bedroom, fitted kitchen and good-sized lounge, as well as a bathroom and a utility area. It is on the market for £65,000 and you can find more details here.
West Bute Street - £69,000
This "quirky" one bedroom property in Butetown is in a fantastic location, with the Wales Millennium Centre, the Red Dragon Centre and the bars and restaurants of Mermaid Quay just a few minutes' walk away. Located above Roosters takeaway, the flat is set over two floors, with a double bedroom, fitted kitchen and shower room all offered.
With a guide price of £69,000, the duplex is being offered by auction in February. You can see more information here.
Lynmouth Crescent - £75,000
This double bedroom first floor flat is in need of modernisation, but benefits from a handy location in Rumney, which places it close to transport links and other amenities, with the Rumney Trail and Llanrumney Fields on its doorstep.
The flat comprises of a two double bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge and shower room. There is also a communal rear garden, off-road parking and a garage.
The property is available to cash buyers only and is listed with a guide price of £75,000. You can find more details here.
Kenwood Road - £80,000
This spacious one-bed flat is situated on a quiet cul-de-sac in Ely, with a range of local shops and other amenities nearby. The city centre is just a few miles away, while Culverhouse Cross is also within walking distance.
The first floor flat is ideal for a first time buyer, offering a large living room, fitted kitchen and a double bedroom with built-in wardrobes and a shower room. There is also allocated parking and a communal rear garden.
It is listed with a guide price of between £80,000 and £90,000, while the potential rental income for the property is around £575 per month. You can find more details here.
Woolaston Avenue - £85,000
This second floor studio flat is found in the highly sought after area of Lakeside, with the shops and restaurants of Wellfield Road and Albany Road within travelling distance. The apartment overlooks woodland while there is also a communal garden available for use.
It is on the market with a guide price of £85,000. You can find more details here.
Limeslade Close - £85,000
This first floor studio apartment in the heart of Fairwater boasts a spacious open plan living area, fitted kitchen and bathroom, as well as resident parking. It is ideally situated for transport links, with Waungron Park train station a five minute walk away, while there are also a number of bus services that stop nearby.
The property is described as "the perfect investment" and "a solid purchase for the future". It has been used for rental purposes, securing a monthly income of nearly £550 per calendar month, with the tenant wishing to remain in situ having lived there for three years. You can find more details here.
Wyndham Crescent - £89,995
This light and airy one bedroom flat in Pontcanna offers a very large lounge space as well as a reasonably sized kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. Many of the city's most popular spots are right on its doorstep, with pubs including the Robin Hood and the Ivor Davies, as well as restaurants and cafes including Purple Poppadom, Brod, Heaneys and Bullys all a few minutes' walk away.
Offers in the region of £90,000 are invited, with only cash offers being considered due to the property being situated on top of a takeaway, which may create difficulties for buyers getting a mortgage on the apartment. You can find more details here.
Victoria Wharf - £90,000
With a modern bedroom and bathroom, a spacious lounge and diner area and its own balcony, this apartment on Watkiss Way is one of the most attractive on the market in Cardiff. Located on the sixth floor of the Victoria Wharf development, the property also has an allocated parking space as well as 24-hour concierge.
It's on the market with a guide price of £90,000. You can find more details here.
Sevenoaks Street - £90,000
This one bedroom flat in Grangetown is another situated in an ideal location, with train links, green space and the shops and amenities of the city centre just a short walk away. It briefly comprises a double bedroom and bathroom as well as a fitted kitchen and spacious lounge area.
Those interested in buying are encouraged to make offers over £90,000. You can find more details here.
Falcon Drive - £90,000
This modern fourth floor apartment is situated in the popular Celestia Development. It offers a double bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a modern bathroom suite, as well as an open plan lounge area with a fully integrated kitchen and an allocated parking space.
It is being sold via auction and has been listed with a price of £90,000. For more details, click here.
Forest View - £90,000
Located in a quiet cul-de-sac off St Fagans Road in Fairwater, this well-presented studio apartment represents another great opportunity for first time buyers. It has a modern and spacious kitchen, a smartly installed shower room and plenty of storage, while it is also well protected with an intercom and key pad entry system and has allocated parking.
There are also excellent links for commuters, with the A4232, A48 and M4 only a short drive away, while there is also easy access to the shops, restaurants and bars of Victoria Park, Canton and the city centre.
It's on sale for £90,000. You can find more details about the property here.
Redcliffe Avenue - £95,000
Another property listed as an ideal first time buy, this one bed flat in Victoria Park comprises of an open plan lounge and kitchen area, fitted with an oven and hob, as well as a large double bedroom and bathroom.
It's up for sale with a guide price of £95,000. You can find more information here.
Bute Street - £95,000
This one bedroom apartment is situated a short walk from the bars, restaurants and clubs of Mermaid Quay, while also being within walking distance of the city centre. It comprises of an open plan lounge and kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom, but there is no parking available.
The property is on the market for £95,000. For more details, click here.
St Davids Crescent - £95,000
This flat in Ely comprises of one bedroom, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom, while there are also communal grounds outside the property. It is located close to Culverhouse Cross, with nearby transport links and easy access to the A4232, M4 and A48, as well as supermarkets and convenience stores a short walk away.
Offers over £95,000 are invited for the one bed flat. You can find more details here.
Ferry Court - £96,000
Listed as an "ideal investment property, holiday home or ideal for first time buyers", this first floor studio apartment overlooks Cardiff Bay and is just a short stroll from supermarkets, restaurants and leisure facilities, with Mermaid Quay and Penarth also not far away.
Comprising of a kitchen, shower room and living and bedroom space, the property also benefits from communal facilities include a gym, pool and gardens. It also has its own allocated parking space, with commuters in an excellent position for road links leading in and out of the city.
It's on the market with a guide price of £96,000, with only cash offers being accepted. You can find more details here.
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