The cathedral city of Newport sits beside the River Usk and boomed during the Industrial Revolution when its port was used to transport coal.
As industry declined, so did its appeal, but over the last few years, local authorities have been injecting large sums of money into the city, and with the Severn crossing bridge tolls scrapped at the end of 2018, it is very much back open for business.
Although not yet at the level of Cardiff, its suburbs and average house prices are on the up. You can check the latest figures here.
How much will it cost to buy?
For buyers, the current average asking price is £248,453. The table, below, shows how many properties have sold in Newport over the past 12 months, the average sale price, the current average value based on Zoopla's data and how values are on the rise.
What about renters?
Renters will need to budget around £646 a month for a two bedroom flat or £952 a month for a four bedroom house.
Living in Newport: What to expect
Much of Newport is flat, but towards its eastern outskirts are gently rolling hills, giving some homeowners enviable views.
Its narrow, pedestrianised high street is flanked by imposing Victorian buildings has all the usual takeaways, local stores, corner shops and some mainstream brands.
But it's not the only place to head for supplies and entertainment. Newport city centre has seen plenty of redevelopment and locals’ choice of shops was boosted by the £100m Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme that opened in 2015.
At night, residents have the pick of a cosmopolitan selection of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, including theatres, cinemas and a bowling alley.
If it’s fresh air you’re after, a half-hour drive takes residents to the Brecon Beacons National Park or the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The city also boasts several parks.
The Brecon Beacons National Park is just a short drive from Newport
Where to start your property search
City centre, suburbs and districts: The city centre comes with a mix of terraced housing, more modern semis and new estates.
On Rose Street you can find attractive stone-fronted terraces with spacious interiors and small rear gardens. For a comfortable family home, search roads such as Allt-Yr-Yn-Avenue, which has sizeable 1930s semis with bay windows.
For views of the river, Amelia Way and Rodney Road have blocks of two-bedroom flats that boast uninterrupted views of the River Usk.
If you want a larger contemporary home, Renaissance Point has two- to three-bedroom homes as well as two-bedroom apartments and is situated close to Town Bridge.
The most sought-after residential areas are the city’s suburbs. Caerleon is particularly desirable, especially in the ‘Old Village’.
This area has period cottages that overlook the river, some of which are stone-built. Elsewhere in Caerleon are substantial semis with panoramic views, such as the ones on Ponthir Road and Broadwalk.
St Julians is another prized location. Look along the gently rising slope of St Anne’s Crescent for terraces and semis that benefit from off-road parking.
Terraces built in the 1900s can be found on Richmond Road, many of which have gabled roofs and bay windows. For later 20th-century homes, scour streets such as Denbigh Road and Constable Drive.
Popular inner-city districts include Maindee and Baneswell, both of which have a wide selection of two- to three-bedroom terraces. In Maindee look on Fairoak Mews, Cannon Street and Hereford Street, and in Baneswell search along Bailey Street and Blewitt Street.
Nearby villages: Christchurch’s hills provides a great view of the countryside. Look along Old Hill for three-bedroom terraces with galley-style kitchens or pick a 1920s semi backing on to open fields on New Road.
On the outskirts of Langstone, you can find impressive detached homes, such as the ones on Magor Road and Chepstow Road. For an executive home, look at Priory Gardens or hunt down a modern detached property on Court Meadow.
Roomy detached homes on private roads can be found hidden away in Rogerstone village. You will also find a wide selection of contemporary houses on Great Oaks Park and Tregwilym Road.
What's for sale
... for the first-time buyer?
One-bed flat for sale for £110,000
Providing an excellent starter home opportunity, this one-bed apartment combines a spacious double bedroom with an open plan kitchen-living area that leads on to a large balcony. It's centrally located next to the River Usk and includes secured underground parking.
Available via Luscombe & Co
... for the family?
Four-bed detached house for sale for £290,000
A spacious detached property with four bedrooms with the master being en-suite. It also has separate living and dining rooms, a modern kitchen, separate utility and converted garage. The drive has space for two cars with the rear garden landscaped.
Available via Pinkmove
... for renters?
This two-bedroom spacious and unfurnished property for rent with no lettings fees is located in Afon village in Rogerstone, perfect for commuting into Cardiff by train and with excellent road links towards the motorway and upwards into the Valleys. it's also in the catchment of some of the highest-rated schools in Newport.
Available via OpenRent
... with the biggest discount?
Three-bed semi-detached house for sale for £240,00
The old bakery was first listed in 2017 for £315,000, but with its asking price now cut by 23% it represents a rare opportunity to purchase a large late 19th century building comprising three double bedrooms and a ground floor commercial unit with garage and off road parking at the rear. The property is also just a short walk from the city centre and brief drive from M4
Available via Crook and Blight
The most expensive streets to buy...
Getting around Newport
By rail: From Newport station, residents can travel to Swansea, London Paddington, Portsmouth Harbour, Nottingham, Cardiff Central, Manchester Piccadilly (via Shrewsbury), Maesteg, Bristol and Taunton.
A journey to London takes just under two hours, whereas Bristol and Cardiff can be reached in 30 minutes and 15 minutes respectively.
By car: Locals are well placed for the M4, which comes within a mile of the city centre. From here, residents can drive west towards Cardiff or eastwards across the River Severn.
An alternative to the busy M4 is the A48, which runs south of the city centre. To head north, drivers can travel along the A4042, which skirts around the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
By air: Cardiff Airport is the most convenient place to catch a domestic or international flight. The airport operates more than 50 direct flights to locations such as Gran Canaria, Rhodes and Berlin. Bristol airport is also nearby.
Things to do in Newport
History: Uncover Roman history by visiting the Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths. The site contains Roman baths and barracks as well as the most complete amphitheatre in the country. The nearby National Roman Legion Museum also displays artefacts from the era, including coin hoards and gemstones.
The city has a number of historically significant structures. Newport Castle’s grounds have largely been consumed by roads, but its east side can still be seen. It was built between 1327 and 1386 and is best viewed from the bridge.
Another striking structure is the Transporter Bridge, which was opened in 1906. It is one of only six operational transporter bridges in the world and allowed workers to cross the river to go to work without disrupting the journey of ships.
Cultural: The Riverfront, a multi-purpose venue, has two theatre spaces, three visual art galleries, a dance studio, recording studio and three workshop rooms. Book tickets to see professional performances, film screenings and attend classes.
Classic plays, comedies and musicals are performed at the Dolman Theatre that is run by the Newport Playgoers Society.
For live music, head to venues such as the Potters, which also has a roof terrace and bar, and Le Pub. NEON is another key venue that hosts comedy, music – and even boxing and wrestling.
Outdoors: A short drive from the heart of the city takes you to Beechwood Park that was once the private grounds attached to Beechwood House.
Belle Vue Park is a popular Victorian park that was restored in the early 2000s. It boasts several conservatories as well as a pavilion, bandstand, rockeries and a tea room.
For sports, take a trip to Tredegar Park. The park has multiple playing fields as well as a skate park, tennis courts, a crazy golf course and a play area.
Wildlife is best seen at the Newport Wetlands. This nature reserve sits at the edge of the city and commands great views over the Severn estuary.
Shopping: Newport market has been a part of residents’ lives for 150 years. Here locals can stock up on fresh produce and visit traditional bakeries and butchers. Stalls selling clothing, gifts and cards are also available.
Friars Walk has a range of shops, restaurants and cafés as well as a cinema and bowling alley. More high-street favourites can be found in the Kingsway Shopping Centre.
Food and drink: Locals have an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars to choose from. For food with a kick, head to Dutchy’s Jamaican Jerk Shack where you can test your chilli tolerance with authentic jerk chicken or try favourites such as curry goat and plantain.
For a selection of more than 150 gins and the city’s largest collection of rum, take a seat at Mojo The Food Bar. Its cocktails are created by mixologists and it serves food made from local ingredients.
Hidden Newport
During excavations for the Riverfront Theatre, builders uncovered the remains of a 15th-century merchant ship. It’s believed to be the most complete surviving example of a ship from this period and will eventually go on display to the public.
5 reasons to live in Newport
Fantastic choice of entertainment, theatres and shops
Good connections to Bristol and Cardiff
Plenty of parks and outdoor space
Revived town centre
Lots of history to explore
If this guide has whetted your appetite, you can now set up property alerts for Newport, or search for more properties to buy or rent in the area.
You might also be interested in...
Are you thinking of settling down in Newport? Tell us why in the comments below…