RESIDENTS of a picturesque town where seafront homes sell for just £135,000 have bragged that it feels like they’re on holiday all year round.
Scarborough, on the Yorkshire coast, is home to two beaches, North Bay Beach and South Bay Beach, and has been welcoming holidaymakers to its shores for over 400 years.
But its year-round residents say they love it just as much as its tourists.
Dad Athi, whose family moved to town from South Africa, told YorkshireLive: “It feels like we’re on holiday living here, rather than here to work.
“It’s so beautiful – we have a lovely view and we love to sit at our window and watch the waves. It’s very friendly too – our neighbours are nice, though I think most of the other flats are holiday apartments.
“We’ve got quite a good price for it and we’re close to town. It gets very busy – we arrived on Easter weekend and it was packed, but we really like it here.”
Despite its popularity, Scarborough’s house prices have remained relatively cheap.
A one-bed flat with sea views is currently up for sale for just £135,000
Another local, Tom Nicholls, 26, explained: “It’s not that expensive here to own a two-bed flat,” he said.
“It’s beautiful here – we wanted the view. We can see the entire seafront from our front window.
“It is actually quite a quiet building considering we’re on the seafront. But it does get busy in the summer and parking is the most annoying.
“Our families love coming and staying. I moved here from near York for work but I don’t think I’d live anywhere else but Scarborough now.”
It comes after the UK’s favourite seaside town was crowned last week, based on the views of more than 3,000 people.
Consumer champion Which? asked holidaymakers to rate their experiences of visiting seaside towns in the last year, based on different criteria.
Topping the charts for the third consecutive year was Northumberland’s Bamburgh, which secured an impressive destination score of 88 per cent.
A location steeped in history, Bamburgh is renowned for its stunning sandy shoreline, backed by the imposing ruins of its ancient castle.
Hot on Bamburgh’s heels with a score of 85 per cent is Dartmouth, Devon.
It too secured a perfect five-star rating for scenery and accommodation, and was awarded four stars for shopping, its seafront, food and drink options and tourist attractions.