Why York is most family-friendly location in Yorkshire - despite property coming at a premium

This Yorkshire and Humber research, carried out by conveyancing firm Thornton Jones Solicitors, is timely, as families return from summer holidays to be plunged back into the school run and autumn term, with considerations such as the quality of education, length of school runs and places to relax and have fun at weekends to the fore.

“Comparatively cheap housing and rent prices, lower childcare costs, high education and career prospects, and access to local social activities make York somewhere to seriously consider bringing up children,” says Sam Kelly, partner and head of residential conveyancing at Thornton Jones.

Her research is based on pulling together government and official sources data from 405 local authorities, cities and counties across the UK in seven categories; house prices, rental prices, educational qualifications, crime rates, employment rates, childcare costs and the proportion of land dedicated to community and leisure buildings such as family-focused museums.

Each location which was given a score out of 100 based on how high or low it ranked against other areas of the UK, with York scoring 59 per cent.

York - which is followed by the East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull in Thornton Jones’ family-friendly rankings for Yorkshire and the Humber - has several world-famous such attractions, including the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum, whose latest plans are reported to include demolishing The Sidings building to make way for a new public square.

Those considering a move to York in time for the start of the January term should however, be prepared to pay for the privilege. Average house prices in York, taken for the survey from the government’s UK Price Index in March 2023 came in at £327,184, relatively high compared to the current UK-wide average of £287,546, and average rentals cost £800 per calendar month.

Lois Power, associate partner at estate agency Carter Jonas in York, says her office is continuing to see demand from buyers across the country, “including those in and around London looking for more space for their money to raise a family whilst still having quick access to the capital, with regular trains to London Kings Cross taking one hour and 50 minutes, on average.”

Other top 10 family-friendly location in Yorkshire and the Humber include Rotherham (at number 7) and Barnsley (number 10) in South Yorkshire, and Kirklees (number 8) and Calderdale (number 9) in West Yorkshire. Thornton Jones found larger cities, including Bradford and Sheffield, at the bottom of regional rankings.

Nationally, York came 98th, with Aberdeen in Scotland scoring 89.9 points overall at the top of the league, and Kensington and Chelsea in central London, with 23.8 points, at the bottom.

“Interestingly, in a slow-burn market, family-sized York properties – such as The Old Rectory on Cygnet Street, a handsome five-bedroomed Regency townhouse a short stroll to the many amenities of Bishopthorpe Road, on the market for £895,000 - https://www.blenkinandco.com/properties-for-sale-york/property/?id=32341891 - are currently receiving the lion’s share of viewings, so demand remains reassuringly high,” says Edward Hartshorne, director and co-owner of estate agency Blenkin & Co in York.

Some of the most popular areas of York to live for families, according to Bridgfords estate agency, include Bootham and Clifton, north of the city centre and close to schools and York District Hospital, scenic Fulford to the south, with riverside walks along the River Ouse, and for suburban peace and quiet, Acomb and Dringhouses, neighbourhoods characterised by larger properties with gardens and a number of parks.

Meanwhile, families with older teenagers might like Micklegate, with its independent shops, boutiques and bars, and close proximity to the train station.

Edward adds that many London family buyers seeking relocation are drawn to York because of its solid but lively reputation: “It’s known as one of safest cities with everything reachable on foot or bike. Also, its relative affordability means London buyers are able to meet the expense of independent schooling and York has the best range in the north. Furthermore, all its secondary state schools are well regarded with good and outstanding Ofsted reports.”

Sam says that three strong factors help York to stand out from the crowd; higher educational attainment, strong employment rates and low crime levels.

"The safer the area, and the better the career prospects, the more parents can safeguard their children’s futures.”