Historically overlooked in favour of neighbouring Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire has appealingly low prices. In Carmarthen town, things have been looking up since the £74 million St Catherine’s Walk shopping centre opened in 2010, and in 2018 electrification of the Great Western Main Line will cut journey times to London Paddington by half an hour.

“It is also within a few minutes’ drive of the glorious coastline, beaches and rolling open countryside,” says Carol Peett, the managing director of West Wales Property Finders. “With excellent schools, a hospital and the University of Wales Trinity St David, S4C television studios, as well as theatres, restaurants, cinemas and shops, Carmarthen town is a vibrant place to live.”

For those looking for a quieter life, Carmarthen has tranquil outlying villages such as Laugharne and Llansteffan. A modest three-bedroom house in Carmarthen or a nearby village costs between £110,000 and £115,000. For £500,000 you can buy a family house with generous outside space.