The Best Areas to Live in York

First things first: how do you decide where to live in York? Although it’s a small city, there are distinct areas, each with their own characteristics and qualities, so you’ll want to do your research before you decide where to buy your property. We’ve scoped out the best places to live in York to help you with your research.
 

Badger Hill

Badger Hill is a quiet residential area on the outskirts of York city centre. It’s popular with young families, couples, retirees and first-time buyers, although there’s also a campus of York University in the area which means there’s an increasing number of students moving into multiple occupancy flats in Badger Hill.

You can easily walk into the city centre in around 45 minutes, although public transport links are excellent, and the bus will get you into town in 20-25 minutes. In general, Badger Hill has strong transport links, making it the perfect area for those who want to work in the city but enjoy the benefits of a more rural lifestyle. Similarly, by car you can easily reach York city centre on the A1079 Hull Road or, going the other way, you can take the A64 ring road out of the city. This means you can quickly get to the Yorkshire Moors and the coastline, perfect for nature lovers.
 

Clifton

Clifton is just 1.5 miles outside of the city centre, making it a conveniently located suburb for those who work in York city centre, and thanks to its location on the A1237, it’s also ideal for commuters to Leeds or Harrogate.

It’s a popular area for families due to a number of well-regarded schools in the area, including St Peter’s School, which is the third oldest school in the UK and the fourth oldest in the entire world. Clifton has a friendly community feel and is loved by residents as there’s a great range of amenities in the area, but it’s also really easy to get into York city centre, giving those who live here the best of both worlds.
 

Fulford

Fulford is a pretty, historic village on the outskirts of York, just 2 miles south of the city centre. It’s located by the River Ouse, making it the perfect location for nature lovers. It has a thriving community and a real village-like feel, so if you’re looking for quiet countryside living with all of the benefits of city living on your doorstep, Fulford might be the perfect option for you.

Much of the village is a conservation area, and there are a high number of listed buildings lining its leafy streets. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to get your hands on a gorgeous red brick house, although there is a wide array of property types on the market, from roomy detached properties to modern apartments.
 

Hull Road

Hull Road is a long street in the city and a popular area for students due to its proximity to the University of York. The main campus can be reached on foot in under 10 minutes, or the East Campus in less than half an hour.

Bordering the Badger Hall, Osbaldwick, Derwenthorpe, Tang Hall and Heslington areas of the city, Hull Road is centrally located, making it easy to get around whether you’re travelling to the university, city centre, or further afield.
 

Osbaldwick

A sought-after area 2 miles east of the city, Osbaldwick is a historic village which has been in existence since the 11th century. It’s a popular area with families as well as students, thanks to its proximity to the University of York’s Heslington East campus which is close by.

There are bus links into York and beyond, and the Sustrans National Cycle Route 66 runs along a former railway line into the city centre, making it the perfect location for keen cyclists looking to buy a house in a quiet residential suburb. There are several primary schools in Osbaldwick which have been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, adding to the area’s appeal for young families, and it’s surrounded by rural farmland which is also a selling point for buying a house here.