Yorkshire is having a moment right now. Whether you’re looking to invest, buy a second home for weekends in the country, or relocate, our tips for navigating buying a home in Yorkshire will help you on your way.
Solicitors in York can help with a number of queries if you’re considering a big move to the North. There are endless reasons to consider why York is perfect for you and your family, especially if you currently reside in the South.
York can offer a cheaper cost of living, better value homes for big families, and vast countryside to enjoy. There’s quite literally never been a better time to move to Yorkshire, and in this article, we’re sharing our tips for navigating buying a home in this desirable region.
Where is Yorkshire?
Yorkshire is England’s largest county, found in the north-central part of England nestled between the Pennines and the North Sea. Yorkshire is steeped in industrial history, including the production of textiles, steel, iron, and coal during the Industrial Revolution.
Yorkshire today is an eclectic mix of stunning countryside and cool metropolitan cities, offering outstanding educational facilities, employment, entertainment, and award-winning restaurants.
Tips For Navigating Buying a Home in Yorkshire
If you’ve got your sights set on buying a home in Yorkshire, there are a few things you need to know and in this section, we’re looking at tips for buying your new home:
Consider What Property Type You Need
Yorkshire is a vast country spanning a whopping 2.9 million acres, and so your first and most important decision is which part of Yorkshire would suit you best. Your options range from secluded rural farmhouses to smart city flats, and prices will often vary widely depending on your choice.
For example, a flat in Leeds city centre will set you back on average around £177,949, whereas homes in more rural areas will tend to be, on the whole, considerably cheaper, but have the disadvantage of being far from transport links and amenities.
Your choice of location will therefore depend on several factors such as whether you have school-age children and if you have personal transport.
Locations in Yorkshire to Consider
A look at some of Yorkshire’s more popular locations will show you that it’s anything but grim up north and we’re going to be taking a look at some of these in this section:
York
Historic and picture postcard pretty, Yorkshire’s cultural capital has a lot going for it including plentiful employment, reasonably priced property and great schools and educational facilities including the well-respected York University.
York’s town centre boasts a combination of quirky independent stores, big-name retail brands and tons of great restaurants and bars. A family home in central York will cost around £344,277, but locals recommend looking a little further afield to areas such as Acomb to bag a bargain.
Malham
If village life set in the glorious countryside is your thing, then you may want to consider heading to Malham. Surrounded by lime coves and rolling hills, the village of Malham offers beautiful cottages and two pubs which connect the community.
Despite the rural setting, Malham is just a 26-minute drive from Skipton. Properties in this don’t appear often, so it’s worth finding yourself a great local estate agent.
Whitby
If the seaside is your thing, then you can do much worse than the coastal town of Whitby. Providing the perfect combination of town, country and sea, Whitby also has good schools and a reasonable amount of employment – as well as great access to Bridlington and Northallerton. Shared ownership homes in Whitby start from as little as £86,000.
Saving Money on Your Move to Yorkshire
Yorkshire does have something for everyone and it’s essential to save money where you can on your move to Yorkshire. If you’re a first-time buyer, you’ll want to make sure that you take advantage of every benefit on offer.
These include the UK government’s First Time Buyer Scheme and stamp duty discounts – both of which can save first-time buyers a significant amount of cash.
Another great way of saving money on your move to Yorkshire is to sign up for some property auctions. While there are, of course, no guarantees when it comes to any auction, this can often be a really good way of getting an idea of what’s out there and potentially nabbing a fantastic property at a rock-bottom price.
If you’ve ever watched TV’s Homes Under the Hammer, you’ll know that buying at auction can also be pretty exciting. However, as the hosts will tell you, don’t ever be tempted to bid on a property without viewing it first.
Navigating your move to Yorkshire…
With property prices in the South raging out of control, many UK residents are looking to relocate to get more bang for their buck as well as a better standard of living.
If you decide to make the move to Yorkshire, you’ll be in pretty good company as England’s largest – and arguably prettiest – county is home to a number of famous faces including Tom Zanetti and Amanda Owen.
Whether you choose one of Yorkshire’s thriving cities or a peaceful retreat in the countryside, there’s little chance that you’ll regret making the move. Be sure to consider what property type best suits your needs, what an ideal location can provide and cost cutting ways to achieve the life you want up North.
*This is a collaborative post
