Gemma Williams BBC Wales news website

Porth now attracts about 50% of house buyers from outside the area Low house price boost for valleys

But despite the greening of the valley again, the shadow of the past can still linger with outsiders' perceptions.

Those living there praised the people and welcomed the lower house prices, but some called for better transport links and job opportunities.

Pat Edmunds, 65, of Trebanog, who has lived in the Rhondda all her life said: "I love it here."

"Even if I won the lottery I wouldn't move. I love the mountains and the people are still friendly here.

"People listen to the news and hear about bad things going on here. But they don't know anything about all the goods parts."

Low property prices have seen decades of population decline in the valleys slowing in recent years.

A conference held in Hirwaun on Thursday by the Institute of Welsh Affairs heard how this influx of residents could boost the area's regeneration.

But local people admit that house prices are only a start - more needs to be done to improve transport out of the valley and jobs for young people.

Sometimes I think they have never been here and hear all the bad things David Sims, on people's perception of the valleys

The �98m Porth relief road officially opened last year to ease congestion but commuting to Cardiff was still an issue.

Bob Nash, who works at Partners estate agents in Porth - the gateway to the valley - says around 50% of their house sales are now with people from outside the area, like Cardiff, where property prices are too high for many.

"I recently sold a house to a nurse from Cardiff - she paid �75,000 for a three-bed terrace with beautiful views of the mountains. The same house in Cardiff would cost around �180,000," he said.

"It's a great place to live. The people are wonderful here. But the problem lies with transport.

"Driving to Cardiff at peak time must take people one to one-and-a-half hours. I ask people why they don't get the train but they say they're not very reliable and often overcrowded.

David Sims, 27, from Porth has to travel to his job with the Welsh Blood Service in Talbot Green.

We used to play in coal dust in the garden - it was everywhere Tom Stoddart

"I work with a lot of people from Cardiff and England and the attitude is a lot of taking the mick and joking about the valleys. It doesn't bother me - I don't mind living here," he said.

"But sometimes I think they have never been here and hear all the bad things."

Further up the valley in Treorchy, houses are even cheaper than in the Porth area - but residents here say they are still waiting for the influx of outsiders.

"There's nothing here. I wouldn't move here," said Natalie Duff, 25.

"But then houses are a lot cheaper so I can see why it could be appealing. My brother lives in Cardiff Bay and they pay about �800 a month rent. But I paid �65,000 for a three-bedroom house with lovely views.

"They just need to bring more jobs here and things to do."

But Tom Stoddart, who has lived in the Rhondda for all of his 65 years said the area had already improved - and could get even better.

"I was born in Tonypandy and we lived opposite a colliery. We used to play in coal dust in the garden - it was everywhere. And the mountains were covered in spoils from the tips. They were black.," he said.

"I think some people think the place hasn't changed from the '50s and '60s. But the lifestyle is good here if you like a slower pace of life and everyone knowing each other. It's not a bad place at all.

"The mountains have landscaped and are green again. It's a different world here now."