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last updated March 12, 2013
Living
The landscape of Leeds and the surrounding city region is rich and varied, providing residents with a wide choice of living environments.
Increasing numbers of young professionals are opting for the style and convenience of city centre living, while others can choose from a diverse range of suburban and rural settings for their home life.
Ten years ago, around 4,000 people lived in Leeds city centre. By 2009 this had grown to over 17,000 and could reach more than 29,000 if all proposed residential developments go ahead.
Within a few miles of the centre, the city opens out to a landscape of open countryside and numerous small townships and villages, which provide a range of accommodation – including traditional Victorian and Edwardian villas, quaint country cottages on the edge of the Dales and modern houses on family-orientated estates.
House prices in Leeds compare very favourably with other areas of the UK and the south. The average price of a detached house in Leeds – £249,955* – compares well with £648,561 in London. Houses in the northern suburbs are generally more expensive than those south of the city centre.
A semi-detached property in Leeds will cost, on average, £134,266 – less than half the average price in London of £377,195.
Outside Leeds, prices vary significantly and you can buy much more for your money depending on the area you choose. A semi-detached family home in York, for example, will cost you around £168,000, while buying a similar property in Barnsley costs around £79,000.
New Dock, Granary Wharf, Brewery Wharf, City Island and Whitehall Riverside offer stylish apartments in a waterfront setting, while penthouses and apartments at K2 and the 36-storey Bridgewater Place provide stunning views of Leeds and the surrounding region.
The Leeds Metropolitan District covers 217 square miles, of which 140 square miles are green belt.
Drive time from the smaller towns in the district to the city centre averages between 20 to 30 minutes.
There is an extensive network of bus services throughout the city with the average distance from house to bus route under 200 metres.
The triangle formed by Wetherby, Ilkley and Harrogate on the northern edge of Leeds is dubbed the ‘golden triangle’ by estate agents and contains the most exclusive houses in the region.
Yorkshire Post Newspapers publishes two weekly housing supplements and includes full property details on its website: www.propertytoday.co.uk
* Source: Land Registry House Price Index, July 2012.
