Yahoo News I'm a property expert - these are the streets in Wales I would most like to live on
If money was not an issue and you could pick any address in Wales to call home, what road would win the competition to welcome you to its location? A cul-de-sac of character-packed houses, a cluster of pretty cottages, an exclusive executive homes gated estate, or a tiny lane that wanders past just a smattering of rural retreats?
Blessed because I write about my passion - property and interiors - for WalesOnline and the Western Mail I get to see, albeit usually virtually, hundreds of homes and meander down a myriad of roads thanks to Google maps. But there are some streets that linger in the memory as places where a property to call my own would be a dream.
Please don't think I am ungrateful for the road where I live now, it's got a few trees and an abundance of lovely neighbours, it's walkable to a park and a range of shops, pubs and cafes - I am very happy with my postcode but sometimes a day dream, or two, leads me up a different garden path. Does that ever happen to you? For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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For me it's never about the price tag of a house or the reputation of a street, it's more about the location, I like to feel I am living in a welcoming and cosy community with lots going on and/or a beach nearby rather than an isolated house surrounded by land behind a high electric gate. Period properties will always win my vote too, something with history and character even though they can need more maintenance than a modern house. However, if you love contemporary and are tempted by expensive and exclusive then good for you; there's no judgement here.
Belle Vue Terrace, Harbour Lane, Aberaeron
My first ever visit in person, and not via Google maps, to this wonderful coastal town had me falling in love with every colourful street but the one I would opt for if someone was offering to buy one of the iconic houses for me is Belle Vue Terrace that continues on into Harbour Lane.
The road is packed with the sought-after colourful Georgian and Victorian terraces that ensure this location is forever memorable, but as this street is elevated and opposite the main hub of the town it gets the best harbour and sea views with less of the hustle and bustle. Find out all about my first ever visit to Aberaeron here.
Conway and Sandringham Road, Cardiff
My two favourite streets in the capital might surprise some people but they link back to when I was hunting for my first property and couldn't afford either but liked to stroll down them and dream. They are not the most expensive streets in Cardiff but for me they can both boast an amazing location, period properties with hopefully character still left inside, and a vibe that appealed to me.
People will be screaming at me - it's a nightmare to park on Conway Road, but this street in Pontcanna is a favourite of mine. A tree-lined road that can get you to all that this wonderful suburb has to offer just around the corner - pubs, cafes, parks, independent shops and a range of houses and apartments in a range of styles. But secretly, all those years ago, it was probably because in amongst all of that there was a cute pub hiding amongst the charming streetscene, which is now sadly closed. Find out more about that here.
I also love Sandringham Road, located at the quieter end of the Waterloo Gardens area of the capital, walking distance to Roath Park, Wellfield Road and Albany Road but a quieter street than some of its neighbours. Lined with mainly Edwardian terrace houses that will always visually epitomise Cardiff property to me, I particularly admired the columned porches, appealing to my unfounded sense of grandeur.
Ffordd Pen Llech, Harlech
Lined with some very pretty stone cottages this road is said to be one of the steepest in Wales but it's not only that quirky fact that appeals to me but also the views to the magnificent neighbour - Harlech Castle, my favourite of all of Wales' majestic castles for its incredible, rebellious history, coastal view that is utterly mesmerising and the truly absorbing ambience that swirls around the robust stone walls and towers.
Lon Bridin, Llyn Peninsula
The Llyn Peninsula is my favourite corner of Wales, although it is a tough choice to make as our country is truly exceptional from north to south, east to west. Any street with a sea view and walking distance to one of the glorious beaches on the Llyn Peninsula I would happily call home.
The choice is tricky so maybe Lon Bridin just about wins due to its location, as it wanders down the coast at Morfa Nefyn giving access to the beach and sweeping bay including the National Trust owned Porthdinllaen. It can also offer a range of style of houses but, as with any road leading to a glorious beach, it's sure to get busy in the summer but for me that's a small price to pay for the amazing location.
Merthyr Mawr Road, Bridgend
Strolling down Merthyr Mawr Road towards Merthyr Mawr beach and sand dunes is like entering another world, where stone cottages and pretty thatched homes appear out of the landscape to instantly enchant you - it's a village that will easily captivate.
Around each corner of this field and woodland flanked lane is another achingly gorgeous cottage that is even prettier than the last one you saw. To choose a favourite cottage is impossible and the closest most of us will ever get to owning one is daydreaming as these cute and character-packed gems rarely come to market and would have a price tag to exclude most buyers if they ever did.
Victoria Square, Penarth
So this isn't a cheap place to call home, with the majority of the substantial mainly Victorian houses asking for around £1m, and more, if they ever come up for sale. But there's oodles of character here, a view of a park and a stroll to the promenade, more parks and the town centre all around a few pretty, tree-lined corners. The vibe on the square is a tree-lined oasis of charm and character with most of the homes distinctive inside and out.
The Croft and The Norton, Tenby
Yes, this is an obvious choice - the two cliff-top streets of mainly Georgian houses with history, but how could it not be on the list? Any Welsh street that can boast a pretty terrace of classic Georgian townhouses is a road I can fall for, but Tenby is the showcase location that offers a view of a world famous North Beach, the ocean and the harbour too.
Rockhill, Mumbles and Rhossili, Gower Peninsula
Sometimes strolling off the main street of a coastal location and away from the sea can reward you with some hidden secrets to call home. Mumbles is somewhere I'm always keen to visit if I'm staying on Gower Peninsula, it can even drag me away from, in my view, the best beach in the world - Rhossili. Perfect living in Mumbles for me would be finding a cute courtyard tucked away from it all and yet walking distance to everything, and so the tiny lane of Rockhill fits the criteria perfectly.
But if the beach is calling, and it always is, then the main road into Rhossili, although busy, offers a sea view, open countryside, charming homes from a number of eras and, of course, a short stroll to the golden sands and the rocky headland of Worm's Head; a most enticing combination.
Where is your perfect Welsh road? Let us know in the comments below.
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