From the vibrant city centre with some of the best nightlife, shops and places to eat to the spectacular countryside that is only a stone's throw from the city, Leeds is somewhere that has so much to offer.
Why buy in Leeds?
Alongside its amazing shops, bars and restaurants, the city is full of amazing cultural experiences such as the very popular Royal Armouries, Kirkstall Abbey and Leeds Art Gallery. The culture continues outside the city centre as the Yorkshire countryside offers up some pretty breath-taking views and if sport is your thing then you’ve got top level cricket, rugby and football there for you too. When we say Leeds has a lot to offer, we aren’t exaggerating.
Is Leeds expensive?
With an overall average house price of £257,023*, houses for sale in Leeds are of great value with the national average currently sitting at £362,438**. There are some great homes in Leeds, so whether you are a first time buyer or looking for your forever home this thriving city presents a great opportunity. This just leaves one question left to ask… where should you look?
Where is best to live in Leeds?
There is no shortage of great neighbourhoods in Leeds but here are our five favourites:
Leeds City Centre
First on the list is the heart of Leeds, the city centre. With endless amenities, places to eat and drink and amazing tourist spots to visit, you’ll never be short of plans. It’s never a quiet night in Leeds, the nightlife is vibrant and energetic with somewhere for everyone including the First Direct Arena where you can go watch some of the biggest music acts, comedians and shows. In the day, you’ve got the Trinity shopping centre for the shopaholics and cultural experiences like the Corn Exchange and the Leeds Waterfront. This only scratches the surface of what is on offer in the city centre.
In terms of the houses in Leeds City Centre, there are a lot of newly built apartments on offer in this area, thanks to a lot of development in the area over recent years, that offer a classic answer to inner city life but in a very modern style. If this isn’t for you then there is a variety of terraced houses available too.
Headingley
A very popular area amongst students, Headingley is full of life. With a number of great bars and places for food, you’ll always be finding somewhere new. If you are into your sports, then Headingley has both a major rugby stadium, which is home to Leeds Rhinos and hosted numerous games during the 2022 Rugby World Cup, and a major cricket ground which plays host to England international matches, The Ashes, The Hundred and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Headingley presents cheaper house prices than the city centre whilst still being well connected via its two train stations, Headingley and Burley Park. A quick one stop train will drop you off in the middle of the city centre action or hop on the other side of the platform and you’re only a short trip away from some of the best countryside scenery the UK has to offer in the Yorkshire Dales and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are plenty of options in Headingley when it comes to what types of houses are on offer. Semi-detached and terraced houses are the most common with a smaller number of detached houses being available as well. Combining this, cheaper house prices and a lively atmosphere, Headingley is perfect for younger buyers.
Roundhay
If dog walks, running, picnics or any other outdoor activities are your thing, then Roundhay is the one for you as Roundhay is home to one of the biggest parks in Europe. With over 700 acres of gardens, forests and lakes, Roundhay Park is one of the most popular attractions in Leeds. You’ll have all this open green space whilst still remaining only a short hop away from the city centre. As well, you’ll have an abundance of high-quality amenities including cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.
The vast majority of housing in Roundhay comes in the form of semi-detached housing with good garden space. This and the huge park make it a great area for families who are after plenty of open air spaces to take the kids and the dog on the weekend.
Otley
With endless miles of amazing walks and views Otley provides a great escape from the busy city life. Nearby you have The Chevin, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty, The Yorkshire Dales and the famous Ilkley Moor providing countryside scenery that is second to none.
Alongside this, Otley is still a lively, vibrant market town with amazing local shops and pubs and if you still fancy going and enjoying the city life then Leeds City Centre is only 10 miles down the road.
Otley has a greater percentage of detached houses in comparison to the rest of the area on this list whilst still having a good amount of semi-detached housing available, perhaps making it a great area for a more experienced buyer who is looking to settle down outside the city.
Horsforth
Horsforth is one of the quieter options whilst still remaining well connected to the city centre and with great amenities of its own. Houses for sale in Horsforth mainly consist of semi-detached and detached homes. Highly rated schools and the quieter nature of Horsforth make it a great place for new families and the short journey from Horsforth train station to Leeds City Centre makes it an easy commute. On a similar note, Horsforth is very close to Leeds Bradford Airport if you are thinking of jetting off on your holidays.
Sources:
* House Prices in Leeds (rightmove.co.uk)
** https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/leeds.html?page=1
