Is Leeds a Good Place to Live & Whats the Cost of Living?

The West Yorkshire city of Leeds is an increasingly popular city for young professionals and families looking to establish a life somewhere new. Famous for its devoted Leeds United football fans, its proximity to the stunning tranquillity of the Yorkshire Dales, the popular Leeds Festival and Spice Girls legend Mel B, it certainly has much to shout about.

What are the benefits of living in Leeds? 

Living in Leeds offers many of the same opportunities and experiences as in other UK cities but with one brilliant difference: the proximity to stunning hikes, striking scenery and the greatest of great outdoors experiences. 

The beautiful Yorkshire Dales, located near Leeds, offer a stunning natural landscape with picturesque villages, rolling hills, and charming rivers to explore from the city. 

If you have a car, why not take a scenic drive through the Dales, exploring picturesque villages and enjoying breathtaking views? The roads winding through the Dales provide a perfect way to appreciate the truly special countryside. 

You can see some incredible landmarks in the natural landscape of the Dales too, easily accessed from the city. Malham Cove is a towering limestone amphitheatre, while Gordale Scar is a dramatic limestone ravine. Both are impressive geological formations and popular hiking destinations. 

The popular Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a circular walking route that takes you through a series of stunning waterfalls and woodland scenery and it's a delightful way to explore the natural beauty of the area. Living in Leeds, this kind of hike could be a regular weekend activity. 

 Below the surface, there are some incredible sites to see, and you can see the underground wonders of the Dales by exploring caves such as White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in Britain on a guided tour. 

 Even if the Dales don’t lure you in, there are still great opportunities to recharge outdoors in Leeds city centre itself. The city offers plenty of green spaces. Parks like Roundhay Park and the Leeds Liverpool Canal are particularly popular for walkers, runners and cyclists. 

It is also just a nice, friendly city. Many residents and visitors note the friendly and welcoming atmosphere in Leeds. The sense of community is strong, and there are numerous opportunities to get involved in local activities, be that in sports, volunteering or the city’s vibrant cultural scene. 

Leeds is equally a very diverse city. According to The Council of Europe, Leeds benefits from a hugely diverse population. Home to over 169 different nationalities, Leeds is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, meaning it is often host to colourful carnivals and delicious food festivals, as communities from across the city come together throughout the year to celebrate the rich cultural diversity found there. 

What is the cost of living like in Leeds?

When city living is so expensive, Leeds could be the answer. The cost of living in Leeds is generally more affordable than in other major UK cities, such as London. According to Numbeo, rent in Leeds is, on average, 59.0% lower than in London and Leeds is 21.8% less expensive than London without rent. 

Where to buy in Leeds?

 Moving to Leeds might sound enticing, but how do you know the best neighbourhoods to explore and the best areas to buy in? 

The city centre

An Ideal spot for those who want to be in the heart of the action, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and cultural venues, in the main hub of public transport. If apartment living and modern developments sound like your kind of thing, the city centre will suit you just fine. 

Headingley 

Popular among students, Headingley is close to the universities that have become increasingly popular over the last twenty years. With a mix of beautiful, if slightly run-down Victorian terraced properties, nice pubs and a variety of shops, Headingley is a nice area. 

Chapel Allerton 

This trendy suburb has a seriously village-like feel. A mix of beautiful Edwardian and Victorian homes and modern apartments, it is a popular spot for young families. Independent shops, cute cafes and popular restaurants make it a great place to get out and about. 

Roundhay 

Around beautiful Roundhay Park, one of the largest city parks in Europe, Roundhay has a mixture of housing styles. With good local schools and access to lots of useful and social amenities, Roundhay is a pleasant spot to buy a property. 

Horsforth 

Horsforth is a pretty suburb with a mix of housing options, including Victorian and Edwardian houses. With easy access to local shops, nice restaurants and well-regarded schools, it is a popular spot to buy. 

Moortown 

Moortown is a residential area in the northeast of the city with a mix of housing styles, including detached and semi-detached houses, making it popular with young professionals and families - particularly because of its good school system. 

Kirkstall  

This north-western Leeds neighbourhood is home to a mix of housing options, including Victorian terraces and modern developments. Close to Kirkstall Abbey and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, this area is home to many outdoor and community events. 

Meanwood  

Described as a post-pandemic up-and-coming area in The Guardian, it is a diverse and evolving area with a mix of housing types. With vibrant community networks and independent shops, it could be a good place to invest. 

Holbeck Urban Village 

Close to the train station in the city centre, Holbeck Urban Village is an area undergoing regeneration, offering modern apartments and loft-style living popular with people working in the city. 

Cons of living in Leeds 

There are some drawbacks to living in Leeds; nowhere is perfect. For a start, the north of England is not always the warmest, driest of places. The weather can be chilly and unpredictable.  

Equally, the cost of living is climbing there, and rent and housing prices are on the rise, meaning the sooner the better when it comes to buying in the city. It is also a popular city with students, which means it can be busy, and the nightlife scene can be pretty wild, making it louder and younger than perhaps some families may want. 

The cost of living is particularly high in the city centre, so it is worth shopping around the whole city for your potential Leeds home. 

Sell your Leeds house fast

Still eager to buy in Leeds? You’ll need to know what you can sell for where you are now…

We know how tricky selling can be, and the more desperate you are for the move, the harder it can be. If you are desperate to make a move, save some money, and start afresh, it might be necessary.

That’s where The Property Buying Company comes in. We are a cash buyer, and while we are unable to offer you 100% market value for your home, we can offer a service that sells your home fast, free, and securely, something many sellers with a home with a short lease may be eager to utilise. We want to help take away the stress that selling your home can bring, simplifying the process and allowing you to relax - so you can work out where to start afresh.