For beautiful scenery and affordable houses, there’s nowhere to beat Northern Ireland. Ignore the stalemate at Stormont and uncertainty over the border: its best places keep getting better, from the buzz of Belfast to the laid-back seaside towns on the coast.

Average house price for the region £163,165

Source: Habito/TwentyCi

What’s hot

■ Improving Derry is the UK’s most affordable city

■ Aghalee is great for foodies, and Portrush for golfers: preparations for this year’s Open include an upgrade for the station

What’s not

■ Ballymena has been badly hit by factory closures

■ Traffic congestion and pollution remain problematic in Newry

WINNER

Holywood, Co Down

‘Holywood is a great place for pet owners’: Rachel Ennis, of the Homebird Cafe, with her family and dogs MICHAEL COOPER

This really is the ultimate destination for the best of both worlds and a healthy work/life balance: Belfast