Up-and-coming alternatives to Yorkshire's property hotspots

Yorkshire’s most desirable places to live cost big money so here are some less costly alternatives.
Up-and-coming Driffield is a less expensive alternative to sought-after Beverley. This five-bedroom, semi-detached house is 240,000 with www.woolleyparks.co.ukUp-and-coming Driffield is a less expensive alternative to sought-after Beverley. This five-bedroom, semi-detached house is 240,000 with www.woolleyparks.co.uk
Up-and-coming Driffield is a less expensive alternative to sought-after Beverley. This five-bedroom, semi-detached house is 240,000 with www.woolleyparks.co.uk

Yorkshire is packed full of desirable places to live but homes in the most sought-after areas command eye-wateringly high prices. That is why we have looked at the North, South, East and West of the region for alternatives.

First is the North, where some of the highest value homes are located. In central York, the best townhouses command over £1m and in nearby Bishopthorpe, a semi-detached house can set you back over £400,000. However, look a little further out to the west and a large semi-detached house in Acomb comes with a price tag of £285,000. The area also has regular bus services to the city centre. Ben Hudson of Hudson Moody believes that the area is up-and-coming as buyers look for value and convenience.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For quality of life and fabulous amenities it is also worth considering the market town of Malton, which is a hotspot with regular trains to central York. Cundalls has a three-bedroom, period townhouse on old Maltongate for £172,000. Selby and its surrounding villages are also less expensive than York.

The best parts of Harrogate, including The Duchy and anywhere around the top-performing schools, busts the budget of many house hunters but Paul Baxter, head of Dacre, Son and Hartley’s Harrogate branch, has this advice: “Look in Bilton”. He grew up in this area of Harrogate and says: “It is a great option as house prices are up to 20 per cent lower here than in the more sought-after areas. There is a great community spirit and easy access to countryside. You can also walk into the town centre or there are regular buses there.”

In South Yorkshire’s “capital city” Sheffield, the most desirable areas include Fulwood, Crookes, Ranmoor, Eccleshall, Dore and Totley. Estate agent Stuart Goff of Hunters suggests extending your search to Norton, Greenhill, Beauchief, Woodseats or Walkley, which all offer lower prices. Property prices in Walkley are 25 per cent lower than neighbouring Crookes and you can walk cross the “border” within minutes to find trendy bars and cafes.

Simon Blyth of Simon Blyth estate agents warns that would-be buyers fixated on the North should not ignore the beautiful South. He says: “Barnsley, for instance, offers good value and easy access to the M1 and it has some incredibly desirable villages, such as Cawthorne and Silkstone. It also has beautiful countryside but some people still think it’s all motorways and pit shafts. It isn’t.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over in the East, Beverley tops the chart. This beautiful, historic market town with a magnificent Minster and its own racecourse has certainly “up and come”. Developers and top-end retailers have targeted the town, along with legions of would-be buyers from nearby Hull and far beyond.

Property prices here have shot up in recent years and, with that in mind, estate agent Mark Woolley of Woolley Parks estate agents suggests turning your attention to Driffield.

This is another lovely market town on an upward trajectory but, says Mark: “House prices there are still 20 per cent less than in Beverely and Driffield has a train station so you can be in Beverley in 14 minutes.”

In the West, North Leeds is considered the creme de la creme when it comes to top-end homes with top-end prices. If your budget won’t stretch to it, Mark Manning of Manning Stainton estate agents suggests Calverley to the south.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It has a lot of history and so the houses are older and tend to be more characterful than in some popular areas of north Leeds and prices are less expensive,” he says, adding that attractive villages in East Leeds, such as Oulton and Woodlesford, along with others out towards Wakefield, are also worth looking at as motorway links are good in these areas.

If you are keen to live in Leeds city centre but can’t reach the starting price for a two-bedroom home, look at nearby Kirkstall and Rodley, where you get a little bit “more bang for your buck”.

Ilkley is a Golden Triangle hotspot and prices there reflect this with most first-time buyers priced out of the market. Instead, head a few miles up the road to the town of Silsden. It is attractive, borders countryside and has a nearby train station with links to Bradford and Leeds. You can buy a two-bedroom terraced house in Silsden for £125,000 and in Ilkley the equivalent would be about £250,000.

Over on the beautiful coast it is the same story. The most sought-after spots for those with big budgets are Sandsend and Runswick Bay. However, if you sacrifice a sea view and are prepared to walk or drive a mile or so to the beach, you’ll find that property is more affordable.

Simon Blyth says: “The general rule is don’t get obsessed with your chosen location. Drive a couple of miles in various directions and you might find something better and less expensive.”