The housing market is a nightmare. Quelle surprise. And nowhere is it crazier than in London.
Prices in the capital are at an all time high, with the average gaff going for an incredible, and pretty sickening, £529,000.
Now, not many people have that kind of cash lying around these days, but we might have an alternative.
Located around 465 miles north of London, and just nine hours in the car, is Pladda Island.
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The picturesque strip of land is less than a mile off the coast of the Isle of Arran and comes with its own lighthouse.
And if that wasn't enough, it will set you back around £350,000. Which isn't too shabby.
The 28-acre plot is accessible by helicopter and boat, with a small jetty allowing you to hop across to the neighbouring island or back to the mainland.
It also has a Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage, with five bedrooms and two reception areas, as well as a bathroom.
If you have guests staying, there's also a separate property with a bedroom, a shower, a kitchen and a sitting room - as well as several outbuildings.
According to estate agent Knight Frank, it boasts 'breathtaking views towards the south coast of Arran, Ailsa Craig and Northern Ireland'.
And if you're a fan of wildlife, then you're certainly in luck.
Pladda is also an 'important breeding ground and stop off point for a variety of migratory seabirds. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded on Pladda island in the past'.
The island has 'successful breeding colonies of Artic Terns, a variety of gull species, Turnstones and Shags'.
I mean, that's got to be better than a rat-infested studio dungeon in Brixton, right?
If you're tempted, you can find more info here.
For those who really want to cut down on costs, though, it's worth knowing the cheapest place to live in the whole of the UK.
According to Zoopla, the little town of Shildon in County Durham has taken the title of cheapest place to live in the UK for the third year running.
The average house price in the town is just £71,000, meaning you won't have to sign over your immortal soul to get onto the property ladder and hopefully start climbing your way up.
Two average local buyers would only need 1.14 times their combined salaries to be able to afford the average house in the town outright.
That's far below the current UK average of a pair of buyers needing four times their combined annual salaries to afford the average UK house price, which is currently £263,000.
So if you're trying to get on the property ladder, it might be worth considering.
Topics: UK News
Dominic Smithers