If you’re a first-time-buyer looking to buy your first home in Yorkshire, but aren’t quite sure where to choose, then this is the guide for you.
We’ve scoured the county to pick out the best cities and towns to buy your first house and set up home, based on house prices, local amenities and employment prospects.
From the big cities of Leeds and
With masses of big-name companies based in the county offering great employment opportunities and much lower house prices than in the south of the UK, the county is fast becoming the place to be for those looking to take their first step onto the property ladder.
Leeds
Leeds is the biggest city in Yorkshire and home to numerous big company headquarters, so there’s an abundance of great job opportunities available and houses to suit a variety of first-time-buyer budgets.
It’s a vibrant city full of brilliant nightspots, eateries, shops and cultural offerings, making it a popular choice for young people looking to buy their first home.
Slap bang in the middle of the country, Leeds is also well connected to the rest of the UK and is on the doorstep of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, so you can be out of the city and surrounded by beautiful countryside in less than 20 minutes.
Areas popular with first-time-buyers, include Burley and Kirkstall, which are both close to the city centre and have their own train stations, up and coming Crossgates and sought-after Meanwood, packed full of new bars and restaurants.
Prices in the city are also affordable, with the average price of a first-time-buyer property standing at just over £183,000.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a big, well connected city, with great amenities and lots of big employers, including SIG, BT and Nationwide, so it’s great place for young professionals looking to set up home.
Average house prices in the city are relatively low too, so you can get plenty for your money. The average price for a semi is just under £185,000, with popular suburbs including hip Kelham Island, cosmopolitan Broomhill and Ranmoor, which is popular with students.
It’s also easy to get around thanks to the Supertram that seamlessly links the city, and is well connected to London, with regular trains to the capital taking just over two hours. Leeds and Manchester are also both less than an hour away by train and the beautiful Derbyshire countryside is just on the city’s doorstep, making it a great location for those who want to escape city life at weekends.
Sheffield also has the biggest student retention rates in Britain, with more students staying in the city after finishing uni than anywhere else in the UK, so young people obviously think it’s a great place to live.
York
The historical city of York oozes charm and there’s an abundance of period homes and well-designed apartments available to buy.
As well as its historical treasures, York has thriving shopping and nightlife scenes. With two Universities, York is also emerging as a creative hub, so there’s some great job opportunities available.
From the city’s main train station, there’s regular trains to London, Leeds and Edinburgh, plus it’s less than an hour away from the beautiful north Yorkshire coast.
Areas popular with first-time buyers in York include up-and-coming Acomb, affordable Tang Hall and Bishopthorpe Road, which is massively popular with young professionals. Although the average price of a home in York comes in at just under £300,000, there’s plenty of good-sized first-time-buyers homes available for under £200,000.
Huddersfield
Nestled between Leeds and Manchester, Huddersfield is a popular place for first-time buyers to set up home.
Its boats really affordable houses, and its close proximity to both Leeds and Manchester makes it an attractive place for young professionals, as both cities are easily commutable from the town.
Huddersfield has plenty going on its compact town centre too, with lots of quirky restaurants, shops, night spots and live music venues to choose from.
House prices in the town are well below the UK average, with the average price of a semi standing at just over £170,000. Terraced properties within the town are even better value, with an average price of just over £123,000.
It’s a town where you’ll get a lot of property for your money, with the added bonus of being close to two major northern cities.
Hull
Hull was recently named the UK’s most affordable city for first-time buyers by Zoopla, so it’s a place where you can get plenty of property for your budget without needing a huge deposit.
Located in the east of Yorkshire, Hull was named the UK City of Culture in 2017, which has helped raise its profile and resulted in numerous new attractions opening. Since winning the coveted title, the council there has also committed to spending millions to maintain its legacy, so it’s very much a city on the up.
As well as some brilliant shops, eateries and top cultural attractions, Hull also boasts its own port, so travel to Europe by ferry is easy.
With the average price for a property in the city standing at just over £140,000, there’s plenty of affordable homes for first-time buyers to choose from.
Bradford
Just north of Leeds sits the multi-cultural city of Bradford, where the average price of a property is just over £134,000, making it super affordable for first-time buyers.
The ethnic vitality of Bradford’s high streets and bazaars make it an exciting place to live and its close proximity and good transport links to Leeds mean it’s a popular place for people looking to buy their first home.
Skipton
Located in North Yorkshire and often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’, Skipton is a beautiful, bustling market town.
It’s the perfect location for first-time buyers who want to live life at a slower pace than cities offer, but who still want plenty to do, thanks to it’s eclectic mix of eateries, pubs and shops.
If stunning scenery is your thing, then Skipton is for you. The average price of a terrace in the town is £191,500, so it’s an affordable place to set up home.