Trying to pitch moving to York to your better half? Simply want to get to know the area a bit more? From hidden gems to house prices to crime rates, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know.
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History of York
King George VI is said to have said “The History of York is the history of England.”
Once home to Romans and Vikings, York is one of England’s most beautiful historic cities. Many of its medieval buildings and streets have been preserved, meaning it retains its charm while being perfectly suited to modern living.
It’s home to both a castle and cathedral, along with magnificent Georgian houses and a Victorian railway. Everywhere you look there’s a little piece of history!
Where is York?
Located in North Yorkshire, 22 miles north-east of Leeds, the City of York is at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss. It’s about midway between London and Edinburgh.
Average house prices
In 2020, the average property price in York stood at £293,665, a 5% increase on 2019. To break this down further:
| Property Type | Average Price |
| Semi detached home | £279,667 |
| Terraced home | £278,823 |
| Detached home | £401,935 |
Homes in York are 20% above the UK average price of £245,443, so while you won’t see the city on any cheapest places to buy lists, it’s still more affordable than many other areas – including London and Surrey.
Average rent prices
The average rent price in York sits at £1,177 pcm.
Broken down by number of bedrooms:
| Bedrooms | Average rent (pcm) |
| 1 | £779 |
| 2 | £895 |
| 3 | £1,423 |
| 4 | £2,018 |
| 5 | £2,558 |
Broken down by property type:
| Property type | Average rent (pcm) |
| Room | £880 |
| Flat | £903 |
| House | £1,566 |
Cost of living in York
The estimated cost of living in York with a family is £2,443 without rent. For a single person, it’s £703, again without rent*.
This includes the price of transport, food shopping, utilities and leisure.
*These are rough estimations, to be used only as a guide
What’s it like living in York?
Stats and figures are one thing, what’s it actually like within the city walls?
Transport
There’s good news here, as York is home to an efficient, well-connected transport system. You can get to London in less than two hours, Edinburgh in under two and a half. Meanwhile, Manchester is only an hour and a half away. Plus, you can get to Leeds in 30 minutes!
The city centre has an extensive network of buses. The city is also has a Park & Ride, allowing you to travel York by car and park for free in secure car parks.
There’s good news on foot too, as residents can enjoy a number of countryside walks, surrounded by stunning scenery.
Working in York
The average salary in York is £34,500, one of the highest in the north of the UK. Some of the biggest employers include York Council and the University of York. Much of the economy is based around services (such as education and finance). It’s also a tourist hotspot.
Shopping
Quaint boutiques, independent stores, shopping centres… York is home to over 2,000 shops, so you can quite literally shop til you drop! Monks Cross in particular is home to all your favourite high-street stores, restaurants and more – right on your doorstep.
Bars & restaurants
Hungry after a full day of shopping? No need to go hungry in York, the city is home to a thriving restaurant scene.
If you fancy an affordable, quick bite to eat, head to Shambles Market to be in the heart of York’s street food scene. Burritos, gourmet hotdogs, Thai on the go… You name it, it’s got it.
Is it a special occasion? Le Cochon Aveugle is a small, stripped back joint that regularly changes its sumptuous tasting menu, yet stays rooted in classic French techniques.
If you love your pub grub, The Lamb & Lion Inn is a firm favourite among locals when it comes to Sunday roasts. It’s also worth noting its exceptional beer garden.
In the evenings, Sotano is the place to be. You wouldn’t notice this underground bar during the day, but it comes to life at night with more beer, cocktails and gin than you could drink. It even features tapas with a ‘Yorkshire twist’.
Art & culture
As mentioned, York is oozing with history, forming much of its culture.
York Castle Museum is home to a number of exciting exhibitions, something to pique everyone’s interest.
The city is also widely held as one of the most beautiful places in the UK – which isn’t bad news if you live there.
Best places to live in York
York truly offers the best of both worlds; stunning countryside and a buzzing city. Different areas have their charms, depending on what you’re looking for.
Clifton
Just over a mile from the centre, Clifton is the ideal location for commuters, due to its proximity to the A1237. This road easily connects you to the rest of Yorkshire, including Leeds.
This area is popular with families due to its excellent local primary schools, including St Peter’s.
Badger Hill
A suburb on the edge of the city centre, residents benefit from being within walking distance to the city centre; around 45 minutes. Badger Hill is popular with couples, first-time buyers and families alike.
Fulford
Love wildlife and open green spaces? Fulford is the place to be; a stunning rural location, much of it protected as a conservation area.
Osbaldwick
Osbaldwick is one of the most well-connected villages, popular with students due to its proximity to the University of York. It’s also home to a number of great local schools.
Hidden gems
- York museum gardens
- St. Olave’s Church
- Bar Convent (home to Britain’s oldest-living convent)
- Roman Baths (with a pub on top?)
- York Cat Trail – throughout the city are about 20 cat statues
- Holgate Windmill
Who lives there?
York’s population is estimated to be around 209,900 (as of 2020). It has a high amount of 18-24 year olds, largely thanks to the two universities.
It’s also home to some outstanding schools, religious, independent and academies alike.
What’s not to like?
There are plenty of tourists in York thanks to its beauty, you might be hard pushed to get a parking space for Monks Cross. While the town is very well connected, be prepared for traffic.
You’ll be constantly reminded of the town’s rich heritage by proud locals and the fact it’s home to some of the finest Medieval walls in Europe.
Typical broadband speed
Broadband speed is now an important requirement when it comes to the best places to live, so where does York fall?
The average speed in York is 25.51 Mbps, which is 17.18% below the UK average of 30.8 Mbps.
Crime rate
York has a low crime rate (32 out of 100), with residents reporting feeling safe when walking alone, even at night.
Its crime rate is lower than the neighbouring cities of Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford.
Thinking of moving to York?
Getting property-specific facts is key when moving to a new area. After all, it’s all about location! A property report contains everything you need to know in one place. This includes sold prices for similar properties in the area, nearby planning applications, and more.
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Last Updated: May 27th, 2022
