The UK is packed full of seaside villages and towns, with homes in some of them being relatively easy to buy. One of these places is Peterlee in County Durham in the north east of England. It is technically a new town, built under the 1946 New Towns Act. According to the 2021 Census, it has a population of around 20,300 residents, and to join them property hunters would not have to fork out much. Rightmove says that house prices in the area have an overall average of £105,571 over the last year.

The majority of properties sold during the last year were terraced, selling for an average price of £71,094. Semi-detached properties, meanwhile, sold for an average of £116,668, with detached properties fetching £231,059. Overall, experts add, the historical sold prices in Peterlee over the last year were 2% up on the previous year and similar to the 2021 peak of £106,583. Zoopla, however, reports that terraced houses have an average asking price of £69,000, and detached £260,000. For semi-detached the figure is £100,000.

The site says of the town that it is offers a "relaxed coastal lifestyle" and "allows residents to experience a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern amenities, right at their doorstep".

It has "steady broadband speeds and easy transportation access", the property sales site adds, with Newcastle airport only 24.2 miles away.

Moreover, Peterlee boasts a "rich tapestry of choices when it comes to food, drinks, and shopping", and, as regards education, the town is served by eight primary schools and four secondary schools, offering a "variety of options for families".

But Peterlee has also been described as a "rough area".

A couple of years ago, someone asked for people's opinions on Peterlee from those who live there on Reddit.

One person said: "It's not great. A lot of struggles with criminal behaviour... wouldn’t recommend moving there, unless close to family, if there are other options available!"

Although, they did list some "advantages", including "nearby shopping options" and facilities like the leisure centre, East Durham College.

One account said: "You can visit in a car but you wouldn't want to get out never mind live there!"

Others stuck up for the town.

One person wrote: "I live in Peterlee and I think some people are talking a bit of s*** here or making it sound worse than it is... while it’s not great it’s not as bad as what people are making out.

"Maybe I don’t go to the rough areas? As a few have said there are good and bad areas.

"Have a look at the Oakerside area, Grampian Drive area they are decent places. Stay away from Elliot Road."

A different account said: "It has its good and its bad parts, like anywhere really. Don't really go in the town center much, but when I do its like anywhere else.

"Shops are adequate... I would say the closer to the town center the worse it gets, but then once you go past the town and behind the hospital and doctors it's not bad.

"Like everywhere things seem to be getting worse, but thats more with ASB and the kids having nothing to do."