Harrogate was once described as offering all the fun and fresh air of Yorkshire, without any of the gritty bits, and it is true that you can enjoy all the very best elements of God’s Own County in the North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate, and that has been independently verified on several occasions.
Last year Harrogate was voted into the top ten best places to live in the UK in an annual survey run by The Times. It was the seventh time the popular tourist destination has landed one of the top places. Meanwhile, property website Rightmove also carries out an annual survey of 21,000 users and Harrogate has come out on top in the ‘Happy At Home’ poll three times, including 2022. Harrogate is officially the ‘Happiest place to live in the UK’.
At Ison Harrison this has come as no surprise, and we have first-hand experience of the positive vibe in the town through our local Harrogate branch on Albert Street in the heart of the town centre. Our 16th branch opened in November 2021 and has quickly become an essential resource for the people of Harrogate. Offering core legal services such as property conveyancing, family law and wills & probate, the team headed by property expert Georgina Pogge-von Strandmann can measure the popularity of the town through a rush of conveyancing instructions over the last 20 months.
The thriving Harrogate property market
The average house price in Harrogate is around £390,000, which has increased by 20% over the last two years, while Harrogate can boast several properties valued at over £1million, particularly in the Duchy Road and Cornwall Road areas.
So what makes Harrogate such a great place to live and why are people so keen to live there?
Wealthy people started arriving in Harrogate in the Victorian and Georgian eras, and a sense that the town stood apart from its neighbouring areas of North Yorkshire has prevailed ever since. This is reflected in the stunning architecture of the Royal Pump Room, the Turkish Baths and Bettys Tea Room while the elegance of the boutique shops and independent retailers of the Montpellier Quarter also maintain the undeniable sense of prestige.
A key factor in maintaining a positive and contented population is the provision of green spaces, and Harrogate enjoys a wealth of outdoor magnificence. In the town itself there is The Stray and the Valley Gardens, while RHS Harlow Carr is on the outskirts and you are just a short journey from the natural wonder of Brimham Rocks, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and of course the epic Yorkshire Dales. The annual Great Yorkshire Show also celebrates the quintessential elements of the great outdoors that Harrogate can offer, while the quality of schools – both private and state – is also often cited as a major attraction of the town. Another major factor in keeping people happy in Harrogate is the sense of safety. In 2023, crime rates in Harrogate were 41% lower than the average for the rest of Yorkshire, and 23% lower than the UK average, a major reason why property in Harrogate is so highly sought-after.
World famous Harrogate
Harrogate has a long-standing and global reputation for its conference and exhibition industry, and this is reflected in the high quality of both event space and hotel space. The knock-on effect continues with fine dining and hospitality offerings in the town, all within walking distance of some of the best conference and exhibition facilities in the UK.
Another major attraction for people wanting to live in Harrogate is its location as a major transport hub. You have regular daily access by train to Leeds and York, while you also have direct links to London and Edinburgh. You are just ten miles from Leeds Bradford Airport and within touching distance of both the M1 and A1, making Harrogate accessible for every type of commuter.
Our Harrogate branch is thriving in its town centre location and we are proud to have become a local resource for the people of Harrogate. Ison Harrison Associate & residential property expert, James Pascoe, commented:
“Harrogate is a wonderful place to live with fantastic parks on your doorstep, which is great for families. The people are lovely and there is a real sense of community here”.
If you are looking at buying or selling a Harrogate property contact our Harrogate branch today.
