Yorkshire Living: Finding Your Ideal Home in This Vibrant County

Yorkshire is the largest county in the UK, encompassing vibrant cities, historic towns, picturesque countryside, and a glorious stretch of coastline. Its main destinations are supported by an excellent transport network, and there is no shortage of world-class tourist attractions and tempting cuisine.

Whether you are a solo homeowner seeking to be at the heart of the action or a family keen for a more restful rural location, you will find your perfect living situation in this diverse region. Find your favourite from this round-up of Yorkshire’s best places to live.

Leeds

Yorkshire’s biggest city is a special place to live. Its electric energy and thriving commercial centre make it an especially attractive option for younger UK residents. There are many developments of new houses in Leeds to satisfy the demand from first-time buyers, including the riverside Climate Innovation District which champions sustainability.

What is really notable about this city is its rich independent culture. Leeds is the only place in England other than the capital, London, with its own ballet, opera, and theatre companies.

Sheffield

Next up is Sheffield in South Yorkshire which was recently crowned ‘the greenest city’ in the UK. This is thanks to its wealth of trees, public parks, and leading eco-initiatives. One-third of the city is also officially within the protected Peak District National Park.

This is not the only reason that Sheffield was ranked as the second-best city break destination in Europe this year. A flourishing food and art scene means that there is much for tourists to do within the city centre itself, with the regenerated Kelham Island leading this cultural evolution.

Harrogate

For a ‘best of both worlds’ location, look no further than Harrogate. Periodically voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK, Harrogate is blessed with a wealth of green spaces and an attractive town centre with no shortage of leading stores and unique shops. The iconic Betty’s Café Tea Rooms, dating back to 1919, and the beautiful RHS Harlow Carr gardens are much visited by tourists and locals alike.

This historic spa town once drew visitors from across the UK as the natural spring water was thought to have medicinal properties. You can no longer ‘take the waters’ but still experience a traditional spa experience at the 19th-century Turkish Baths.

Ilkley

Another Yorkshire town which has it all is Ilkley which came first in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide 2022. Perched at the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Ilkley residents have direct access to some of the best countryside in the county while the traditional market town centre is overflowing with independent shops selling local produce.

Despite its reasonably rural setting, this spa town is not lacking in modern conveniences. Residents have access to great schools, supermarkets, restaurants and pubs, as well as a range of sports facilities including the Ilkley Pool and Lido.