Moving to Harrogate – An Insider’s Guide

Harrogate has been getting headlines for being the best place to live in the UK. It’s great for remote working, with many people coming from out of town to move to this beautiful city.

We’ve this insider guide together to let you know what makes Harrogate such a great place to live and the best areas to live in!

What Makes Harrogate Such a Great Place to Live?

The city has been described as one of the happiest places to live. Harrogate is home to some excellent state and private schools, has low crime rates, and easy commutes to nearby Leeds and York.

You’ll also find train stations in the town’s centre, along with additional stations in residential areas, including Pannal, Oatlands (Hornbeam Park), and Starbeck. And we can’t forget to mention the daily direct trains to London Kings Cross!

With all these transportation links, Harrogate is the perfect place for anyone that needs to travel for work, but wants to live in the beautiful North Yorkshire.

Where are Harrogate’s Most Expensive Streets?

Let’s start with Fulwith Mill Lane; this street was named Yorkshire’s most expensive street in a national report. The same report found that the country’s most expensive addresses were located within the Golden Triangle of Harrogate, Wetherby, and North Leeds.

In another survey, one of the most beautiful spots here is Birtswith. This street is known for having a strong sense of community and a thriving village store. We can’t forget to mention the pretty village of Burnt Yates, located between Harrogate and Rippon.

Some of the top addresses in Harrogate include the apartments and townhouses that overlook the Stray on Beech Grove, Montpellier Hill, and York Place. These properties are some of the highest value per square metre in the city.

Which are the Best Areas to Live in Harrogate?

Features and listing can only tell you so much, while local experience is usually far better at determining quality, value, and desirability. Here are some of the areas that are always popular with homebuyers looking for property in Harrogate (in no specific order):

The Saints: this is an area between the town centre and Oatlands, close to St. Aidan’s C of E High School. Here, you can find plenty of traditional 3-bedroom and semi-detached homes. The properties here sell for more than £1m.

Fulwith: here, you’ll find many executive homes on Fulwith Mill Lane, with an average home price of £1.6m. The surrounding area was originally built for senior staff of ICI who worked at the company’s premises on Hornbeam Park. The fabric crimplene was invented at this division of ICI, and it’s said that it was named after the Crimple Beck, which runs through the valley below Fulwith.

Duchy: is an area within walking distance of the town centre and Valley Gardens. It’s notable for its grand Victorian villas and exclusive detached homes. Properties here generally sell for more than £1m.

Pannal and Burn Bridge: this area is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has glimpses of the rocky outcrop at Almscliffe Crag. Panal and Burn Bridge have a village-like feel and a station with regular trains to Leeds and York.

Valley Drive: this area’s located south and is famous for its Victorian terraces. From here, you can see across the park and Pinewoods. Located just behind Valley Drive is the shopping district of Cold Bath road, which offers a collection of independent stores, cafes, and restaurants.

Starbeck: if you love flowers, you’ll love Starbeck, as it regularly wins Britain in Bloom awards for its many floral displays. The area also features a busy high street and railway station, making this a popular residential area. The home prices have increased significantly in this area.

Kings Road: heading east out of town, you’ll find the conference centre along Kings Road. This is an eclectic mix of Victorian villas and brick-terraced properties. One of the best high streets in Harrogate is found here and includes a butcher, greengrocer, fishmonger, and other independent shops.

Pannal Ash: the Pannal Ash and Rosett Garden areas have three high schools, Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School, and Ashville College. There’s also a good selection of substantial detached and semi-detached homes, many of which have large plots or connect to the open countryside.

Cold Bath Road: this area is known locally as Notting Hill of Harrogate, and it has a great selection of restaurants, bars, cafes, and independent shops that include a deli and several bakeries. The area’s within walking distance of town and the Valley Gardens, with excellent primary schools such as Weston Primary and Rossett Acre, making this a great location for families.

Beckwithshaw and Harlow Hill: as you head out of town along Otley Road toward Beckwithshaw, you’ll come to Harlow Hill, which has an excellent selection of homes for families. On a clear day you can see the White Horse at Kilburn. Farther down the road is RHS Harlow Carr, which has its own Bettys Tearoom. Beckwithshaw is also an attractive village with traditional Yorkshire stone cottages, a country pub, and its own cricket club.

Bilton: is an area that has great primary schools, well-maintained cycle paths, and the Nidd Gorge. You’ll also find plenty of two and three bedroom homes here, and an annual party and a strong sense of community.

Places to Explore

Along with great places to live, Harrogate also offers some great places to explore! There are over 200 acres of grassland near the city, making this the perfect place for anyone who loves being outside. Families also love Harrogate, as there are so many great places for a family day out, picnics, football matches, and more.

Near Valley Garden, you’ll find a beautiful garden to wander in, with 36 wells. It’s a place that anyone who loves gardens will enjoy. There are also tennis courts, golfing, skating, paddling in the pool, boating, and so much more!

Harrogate also has plenty to offer in the way of historical attractions. One of the most popular is the Ripley Castle and Garden. The castle is situated at the edge of the Yorkshire National Park, and offers a beautiful sight. It was built in the 14^th century and the castle has a very rich history.

And don’t forget to learn about the city’s industrial revolution, renaissance, and more.

Harrogate is a wonderful place to live, and it has much to offer everyone from families to students. No wonder it’s been called the country’s happiest city!