Bath named best spot for UK's FTBs

First-time buyers should go west for their best chance of getting on the housing ladder.

Bath has been named by moneysupermarket.com as the UK's best location for FTBs who want to buy their first home, coupled with good job opportunities.

The online comparison site ranked 35 UK cities for important factors such as property prices, jobs, salaries and disposable income.

The West Country city took second place in the same research last year but has moved up to first, thanks to improved job opportunities.

Wolverhampton in the West Midlands took the second spot with Chester, Aberdeen and Derby filling out the top five places for the best UK spots for FTBs.

Unsurprisingly, London was revealed as the worst location for FTBs, the capital's high property prices ruling it out as a destination for most homeowning newcomers.

The rest of the top five of the least accessible UK spots for FTBs are Birmingham, Sheffield, Leicester and Edinburgh.

Rachel Wait, consumer affairs spokeswoman at moneysupermarket.com, said: "As well as looking at house prices in your area of choice, measures such as crime rates and local job opportunities can help inform your decision and ensure you're in the location best suited to you.

"It's also important to start thinking about your credit score as mortgage lenders will check your credit history to see whether you're a reliable borrower.

"If buyers are willing to be flexible, they can stand a better chance of buying somewhere they can afford without sacrificing a good standard of living."