York. Everyone knows it, has probably been on a school trip there with a clipboard, walked the famous walls or tried their hand at being a Viking at some time. They might have marveled at the Bullet Train in the National Railway Museum or been captivated by colourful projections on the mighty York Minster that so dominates this city.
Food lovers have been lured by an annual gourmet festival, the appeal of York’s heritage as a capital of chocolate, joined a queue outside of Bettys or and dived into the city’s ever-growing reputation for fine dining establishments, much loved by Michelin.
Then there’s party York. A cocktail scene, a party city – maybe that’s a York for visitors not those who choose to make the place their home.
If you’re thinking of making a move to York then set your sights on the neighbourhoods which bustle with creativity, independent shops and a lively community spirit.
Think of them as a frill around a city centre which has mass appeal and the tourist spend. What York does have to offer incoming families who venture away from the city centre are good schools, green transport links, lively cafes and neighbourhoods plus a good cultural mix. Cycle lanes, rail links and a park and ride service discourage car use.
Choose your base – it might be bustling Bootham with handsome period properties, the very vibrant and sought-after ‘Bishy’ road, packed with cafes, cool shops, excellent artisan bread and a sustainability ethos. Pretty Bishopthorpe is where you’ll find the Archbishop of York in his stunning palace or lively family-friendly Acomb.
Cool Clifton has a heritage feel or gallop to Fulford for what some rural living, with the River Ouse and wildlife walks and open space on the doorstep.
Explore
Swirling around the city of York is a ring road. Most cities have them of course, and York’s can point you in the direction of a hugely varied landscape and places to discover. York’s can be annoying when to comes to traffic congestion and is one of the reasons for the number of Park & Ride stops that link to it.
If you’ve taken said Park & Ride options to explore the city, you’ll have ticked off the must-sees in York: Minster, city walls, Clifford’s Tower, rail and Yorkshire museums, Jorvik, York Art Gallery, boat rides to name but a few. Not to mention theatres with a good mix of performance. The visityork.org website is a good starting point for events and the year-round touristy stuff. If you’re into big name shopping, the McArthur Glen designer outlet (hop on a bus from the station), is full of bargains (it’s relative) from the likes of HUGO, Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith and cookware-fabulous Le Creuset. Within the city, Browns and Fenwick are go-to department stores good for a browse.
But it’s definitely worth checking in with Indie York to delve deeper and discover the small and perfectly formed independent stores across York with passionate owners doing their bit to bring something eclectic to the shopping, dining and culture scene.
Explore ‘indie ‘quarters’ such as the Fossgate, Swinegate Latin quarter, The Shambles, Micklegate and Bishy Road as well as the ‘Fifth Quarter’ which includes Bootham and Gillygate businesses.
Most are a short hop from the city centre so it’s easy to get the best of both worlds and support fledgling businesses along the way.
Micklegate a case in point – it’s become something of a ‘foodie row’ with great food offerings from acclaimed restaurants Skosh and Fish and Forest with Partisan a pretty perfect place to start your day with the ultimate breakfast or brunch. The street is also home to FortyFIve Vinyl Café which does what it says on the sleeve...
Fossgate has a great vibe with bars, delis such as The Hairy Fig, gift shops like Give the Dog a Bone, some great coffee spots and vintage clothing spots.
The legendary ‘Bishy Road’ has a history as probably the ultimate high street – it won the accolade of Great British High Street of the Year a few years back and is championing the local and personal approach that every town is striving for these days. It all looks a bit unassuming but up close is definitely worth a potter. Grab a snack at Pig and Pastry, sit outside and watch the world go by on the bustling high street. Check out Robinsons Café, a family-run business owned by Will and Bex who have worked in restaurants with Michelin stars. Along the way you’ll find butcher, baker, hardware, eco weigh-in shops as well as welcoming gift and clothing stores.
Don't forget river walks too. A circular walk along the River Ouse will take you to Rowntree Park, York Millennium Bridge, Tower Gardens and York Castle.
indieyork.co.uk
Bag a property
This city has properties of your dreams with deliciously grand period homes close to the city centre and yes, prices to match. In York - once England's second city - tourism has become a key element of the local economy. And with good schools, plenty for people of all ages to see and do in this famously walled historic city in North Yorkshire, it's no wonder property hunters come from far and wide to find a great new home.
Properties are quickly snapped up, especially large family homes. In the central Scarcroft area, a handsome five-bed terrace with three bathrooms, contemporary design and impressive kitchen/family room sold for £918,000. In sight of the Minster, a similar sized property in Bootham went for £1.3m.
Properties in York had an overall average price of £324,071 over the last year.
The majority of sales in York during the last were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £315,319. Terraced properties sold for an average of £316,674, with flats fetching £220,616.
According to Rightmove, overall, sold prices in York over the last year were 2% up on the previous year and 11% up on the 2020 peak of £291,689.
Property in York - whether to buy or rent – is diverse - charming mews cottages, smart townhouses, elegant mansions, and a wide range of appealing detached and semi-detached family houses can all be found for sale in York, as can lovely flats and apartmenty, often in impressively renovated heritage buildings.
The University of York is a pull; former alumni return there regularly after they've completed their studies, so strong is their attachment. There are also 67 local authority schools with over 24,000 pupils in the city, and six independent schools for both girls and boys.
Town Life
Jack D March, interiors influencer, design graduate and self-confessed interiors obsessive.
York to me is the only place to live, but then I was born here. Maybe I am just biased, or maybe I am just right?!
York is a unique place because although it is a city it still retains the charm and community of a village or small market town.
I’m lucky to live just a short stroll into the centre of York surrounded by local independent shops and cafes; my local go-to is North South on Bootham.
When my partner Dave and I were looking to move in together we looked at Leeds and York, but York (and me) won him over with great train links for his work and York's quaint charm that you just can't recreate anywhere else.
To experience York in a nutshell, I would definitely recommend: taking in the views at Sora Sky Bar with a cocktail, wander the little independent shops of the Shambles, brunch at Rise, lunch at Partisan, and always afternoon tea at Bettys.
jackslifeinateacup.wordpress.com
