The people of Yorkshire might roll their eyes at reference to the Government’s fabled ‘Northern Powerhouse’, but the levelling-up agenda is a real thing and investment in the north offers plentiful areas of huge potential for eager property investors. Average house prices for the region currently sit at £227,000 but there is a substantial swing between different regions which mean you can pick up a bargain or make a strategic investment that will hold its value long term. Yorkshire offers plenty of opportunities for savvy price growth while enjoying rich family experiences and stable, cultural living, so here we have put together the ten property hotspots of God’s Own County.
Sheffield
Starting off in the south of the region, Sheffield is a no-brainer in terms of investment, with strong suburbs such as Millhouses, Dore, Beauchief, Ranmoor and Fulwood with a long history of consistent appeal and robust property values. Sheffield is famed for its vast green spaces and strong university offerings, and while its city centre has taken years to recover from the behemoth of Meadowhall shopping centre in the early 1990s, it is earmarked for £470 million of planned regeneration.
Wetherby
If you like to be ‘out in the sticks’ but close enough to the city that you can enjoy the best of both worlds, then Wetherby is the place for you. Betwixt Leeds and York, this is a charming market town like a mini-Harrogate, even down to the Georgian architecture. With good education establishments to be found, particularly in areas such as Boston Spa, families can invest wisely in property that holds its value well.
York
There are few cities in the UK with more historical importance than York, but that still translates to an affordable housing market. And York mixes a young and exciting vibe with its medieval identity. There is a strong hospitality scene in York, along with good universities and outer suburbs such as Acomb and Dringhouses with good value properties on offer for families and those with a more specialist investment eye.
Beverley
Often the forgotten element of East Yorkshire and with an easy commute to Hull and York, Beverley sits as a town ripe for investment. One step nearer the coast is a big attraction too, but this cosy market town has plenty of appeal in itself, and it comes alive at weekends, particularly when there is a race meeting on.
Hull
Hull was selected as the City of Culture in 2017 for good reason, and has enjoyed a steady rise in property appeal since then. With a regenerated city centre and good schools in areas such as Clifton and Badger Hill, Hull is a big city with a homely feel, so move quickly and there are still bargains to be had.
Leeds
The heavyweight city of Yorkshire has enjoyed significant jobs growth in recent years, becoming the digital, financial and legal centre of the UK and attracting big business investment and flagship relocation for major names leaving London. Leeds has always enjoyed strong leisure, retail and cultural growth and sat dead centre in the middle of the UK has excellent commuter links anywhere in the country. With good universities and an ever-evolving city centre, there are plentiful investment opportunities here.
Bradford
Often maligned, but there is plenty of investment ongoing in Bradford city centre, and yet the city is still known for its affordability. Outer areas such as Thornton, Calverley and Birkenshaw hold family, suburban appeal, but with an average house price of £185,000 and good commuter links to Leeds, Halifax or Manchester, Bradford is emerging as a sought-after location for first-time buyers.
Ilkley
Backed by its famous moors and charming Victorian arcades, Ilkley is a tourism hotspot with a wealth of greenery and natural wonder on its doorstep, but this doesn’t hide a bustling spa town where an idyllic lifestyle can be supplemented with some of the best eating and drinking experiences in the north. Expect average house prices of around £430,000, but you get amazing quality for that price.
Harrogate
Mixing local artisan character with elegant boutiques, Harrogate is a gem of a spa town which mixes tradition with a progressive energy. The Turkish baths and refined tea rooms are a big tourist attraction, as are the many gardens and the surrounding natural landmarks. Harrogate is the conference and events magnet for the north, and as such a stable economy keeps house prices steady and consistent, meaning the town is a good investment for those wanting predictable, long-term growth.
Huddersfield
While Huddersfield itself is a busy and appealing town with a strong university reputation, the best value lies in surrounding areas such as Slaithwaite. This canal-side town is compact but eventful and has excellent rail links to both Leeds and Manchester. It has proven to be a property investment hotspot over the last decade, with average house prices of around £200,000 for historic properties and a countryside feel. Neighbouring towns such as Golcar and Marsden hold similar appeal and may present comparable investment opportunities.
Contact Ison Harrison for advice on property investment in Yorkshire
Whether you are looking for new-build property investment or more traditional housing, Yorkshire is a rich tapestry of investment potential, and presents possibly the best value outside the capital. As the Yorkshire solicitors, Ison Harrison is represented with satellite offices all over the region, so contact your local team and our residential conveyancing experts can advise on the best property investment opportunities open to you in Yorkshire.
