Your Move York Local Area Guide

Why move to York?

York is regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK! 

Speak to anyone who lives here and they’ll all have their own reasons why they love it.  Whether it’s the charm and character of this historic walled city with its stunning Minster, or the glorious open countryside that surrounds us, the great outdoors certainly plays a big part.  It’s no surprise therefore that York is also one of the UK’s top tourist destinations.

Transport and Travel

With the National Railway Museum a major attraction in the city, York has a long history of association with the railway, and today you can catch a train direct to London in an hour and fifty two minutes! Travelling by car around York is made easier by the inner ring road which snakes around the city walls, and the outer ring road which connects the outer villages and the road network beyond. There are miles of cycle paths connecting the city with the residential suburbs and the surrounding villages as well as regular bus services and six Park and Ride’s.

Parks and Recreation

York is surrounded by countryside which is great for walking and cycling, with national treasures on the outskirts to visit including Castle Howard and Beningbrough Hall. We are also fortunate to be endowed with some wonderful open spaces within the city itself, be they alongside the River Ouse like Rowntree Park or Museum Gardens; or the various green open spaces such as Heworth Stray or the tree lined expanse of The Knavesmire which includes the fabulous York Racecourse. A walk along the top of the city walls is also a wonderful experience, especially on a sunny day, and the section overlooking York Minster reveals some unexpected lawned gardens with those attached to the Minster allowing access to the public.

Keeping fit and healthy is well catered for with a myriad of gyms across the city as well as comprehensive modern sports facilities provided by both York and York St John Universities. There are several golf courses to choose from including the historic championship venue at Fulford and the York Golf Club in Strensall.

Schools

York has some of the very best state schools with the likes of Fulford, Archbishop Holgate and Huntington achieving stand out results on a regular basis. The city is also a draw from an Independent school perspective with St Peters, Bootham and The Mount all within walking distance of the city centre.

The renown York University is part of the exclusive Russell Group and has seen massive expansion of its campus in recent years, and there is also the highly regarded York St John University closer into the city centre.

Restaurants and Shopping

Thanks to its year round attraction to tourists, York has a thriving culinary choice with everything from small bistros to the very best nationally recognised eateries. There are also trendy Artisan coffee shops, interesting bars, and pubs owned by independent smaller breweries.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping, with the city centre providing a full range of shops from small independents to the big names. And on the outskirts you’ll find large out of town complexes with cinemas and restaurants, as well as a designer outlet which draws custom from across the region.

Business in the city

York is deeply connected with chocolate having been the home of Joseph Rowntree and his Rowntree’s confectionery business which is now owned by Nestle and remains a major employer. In fact you are often treated to pleasant smell of chocolate in the air! York is also home to the life insurance side of AVIVA, Hiscox Insurance has recently built a landmark head office in the city and there are various government departments located here. We even have the House of Lords muted to be seriously considering a move to the new re-development of York central near the station. Cutting edge tech businesses have also been attracted to York’s Science Park located alongside the University campus.