Every year lists are revealed showing the results of the best places to live and work in the UK. From the coastal towns of the south to the industrial traditions of the north, some of the same towns and cities crop up year after year making them perfect property hotspots. They have the essential combinations of culture, jobs, attractiveness and great transport links. Here are some of the firm favourites:
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Conveniently located Cheltenham is always popular, offering leafy regency sophistication and heaps of excellent schools. It’s not too big, feels posh without the horrendous house prices of London or Bristol and is home to many cultural events such as food festivals, literary festivals and of course, the famous racecourse. Theatres, farmer’s markets and stunning parks are further reasons why Cheltenham is a delight to visit or live in.
Bath
With its incredible Roman history and natural baths, Bath is a hit with tourists but there is much more to this pretty city. It’s ideally located to be commutable to London and offers fantastic schools, two universities and a huge number of cultural events. With improvements planned, in the near future, to make it even quicker to get to Paddington, this UNESCO World Heritage city is the perfect base for families looking for an attractive, culture-rich and conveniently located location. For Estate Agents Bath, visit http://www.pritchards-bath.co.uk/
Oxford
Stunning architecture and one of the best universities in the world, Oxford has always had a lot going for it. There are good schools, easy commutable distances and a dependable jobs market. You’ll also find plenty of fun things to do including Oxford’s five theatres, ice rink, three cinemas, swimming pools and a vast number of places to eat, drink and be merry. It’s a vibrant city with a large student population so if you want culture and a city with a ‘buzz’ then you’ll love Oxford.
Llandaff, Cardiff
Llandaff has been named as one of the best urban places to live and with its impressive historic landmarks and village-feel atmosphere, it’s clear to see why. The area boasts good schools, lots of local amenities, a great sense of community, low crime rate and even Doctor Who is filmed here! The people who live here enjoy all the benefits of city living with iconic landmarks, places of interest and big sporting events but with the feel of a small-town community.
York
Apart from the breath-taking sight of the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, York’s transport links are top class and all the buses have free Wi-Fi! As a university city, there is plenty of great nightlife and even some of the pubs have ancient landmarks in the basement such as the Roman Bath pub. York offers such a fabulous wealth of history and stunning architecture in a very beautiful part of the country. There are loads of museums and galleries to keep you busy and a huge shopping centre too. Much of the city is car-free which is perfect for the environment and families with children.