What a £360K property can get you in NI vs around the world
When deciding where to live, there are many factors to consider and prioritise.
Most people will consider things like climate, culture, employment, transport, schools and proximity to family before putting down roots.
And (unless you are a multi-millionaire), house prices are likely to be a big deciding factor.
Affordable house prices are a big draw to living in Northern Ireland.
And to prove it, here are some mind-blowing images that compare what a £360K property would get you in Northern Ireland versus the rest of the world.
But we’ll save the best to last.
New York, USA
Let’s kick off with New York. The concrete jungle where dreams are indeed made.
For $442K (that’s £357K,) this studio condo on the Upper East side has an open kitchen, bedroom and living space and a teeny-weeny bathroom you couldn’t swing a cat in.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver has been Canada’s number 1 location for newcomers for decades. It offers stunning scenery and an enviable quality of life – but it ain’t cheap.
You can expect something like this two-bed, one-bath home with a £360K budget. Cute as a button, but not exactly spacious.
Sydney, Australia
On the other side of the world, you could buy a 44m2 one-bed, one-bath apartment in Sydney’s bustling Chinatown region. You’d be looking out over Bondi Beach, but unfortunately the interior is pretty dated.
You can’t have it all.
Auckland, New Zealand
Hop on a 3-hour flight to New Zealand, and you could get a bit more space and a lot more quirk for £360K, thanks to a year-long housing market downturn. For example, this three-bedroom home in New Zealand, which is partially built from an old train carriage.
Do you know who takes the crown for world’s most unaffordable housing market?
That would be Hong Kong. For thirteen years running, in fact.
Hong Kong, Southern China
These stackable micro homes have been designed as low-cost starter homes for young people in the city and would be within a £360k budget. Made from converted concrete pipes, they are being stacked on top of one another and slotted into gaps between city buildings.
La Tzoumaz, Switzerland
Let’s head to notoriously expensive Switzerland. Would you believe you can buy this ginormous building in the beautiful village of La Tzoumaz for £360K?
Just kidding, you could only get a tiny, one-bedroom apartment within this building.
Paris, France
How about an apartment in Paris? You could get a studio apartment on the third floor of this red-brick building for around £340k. Like everything else in Paris, this studio apartment is beautifully designed, but you definitely couldn’t invite over more than two people at a time.
London, England
Just across the pond in central London, you’re looking at significantly less bang for your buck - you wouldn’t be able to get your hands on much more than a 1 bed flat. If you want to be situated in the hipster heart of Shoreditch, you’re talking £370k.
Dublin, Ireland
We’re on the home stretch now.
Dublin is a short drive away from most places in Northern Ireland, yet house prices between the north and south of Ireland are worlds apart. This 2-bedroom terraced house in central Dublin would set you back a cool £360k.
Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for.
County Armagh, Northern Ireland
For the same price as all of the above properties, you could get your hands on this this absolutely massive, detached chalet bungalow in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland.
With five-bedroom and four bathrooms, this property is complete with vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and arched windows of dreams.
County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
How about this spacious 4-bedroom new build residence, set on 1 acre of stunning panoramic countryside views in County Fermanagh? It has underfloor heating, sensor outdoor lighting, a 50ft attic, and is priced at £360k.
Goodness me. We’ll wrap this up while you pick your jaw off the floor.
Like any other country in the world, house prices vary by region.
Dungiven, Maghera, and Coalisland are the least expensive locations, while Bangor, Holywood, and Hillsborough are the priciest.
Yet no matter where you are in Northern Ireland, it’s clear to see that you can get a lot more house for your money, when compared to the rest of the world.
Your neighbours are likely to be better craic, too.
