Living And Working In York

York is a cathedral city which is in North Yorkshire and situated in the north east of England. It is within easy reach of some spectacular and well known coastlines and the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales, both of which are National Parks. York is extremely well connected to the rest of the UK with great links to major roads and the city has a regular and highly efficient bus service. The nearest airport is Leeds Bradford International Airport. The railway station which was opened in 1877,  is set to be the subject of a £1.1 billion renovation in order to reinvigorate both the station itself and the surrounding area. There are frequent and direct services to London and Edinburgh (as well as many other towns and cities), making it a great choice for commuters.

York has a rich and fascinating history which is apparent as soon as you enter the city due to it being partly surrounded by ancient walls known as the City Walls and four gatehouses. These are also known as the Bar Walls or Roman Walls. Centuries ago, York often found the need to defend itself from enemies ~ hence the building of the walls and interestingly, there are remains dating as far back from Roman times. It is all carefully managed and maintained by the City Of York Council. York is somewhat of a time machine where you can follow in the ancient footsteps of those who have left their mark such as the Romans, the Vikings and of those associated with royalty.

With a successful heritage of railways and chocolate, York has become a highly respected and thriving economic success story. The city benefits from having a strong knowledge driven economy and boasts a solid reputation for research, innovation and development. Industries which show particular strength include rail, finance, healthcare and professional services, biotechnology, digital, creative and IT. Tourism generates millions of visitors each year (this includes myself!) which creates hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue and many jobs. York is a UNESCO City of Media Arts and was also the UK’s first Gigabit city. (In simplified terms this means that it enjoys a pure fibre network with unlimited bandwidth and gigabit speed!)

The city is known throughout the world for its academic excellence and there are two world class universities here which are the University of York and York St John University. Both universities boast consistent high rankings so it is little wonder why they attract some of the world's smartest academics from all around the world.

It has been claimed that York has more attractions per square mile than any other city within the UK. There are many places to visit which include the famous Shambles. This is a truly fascinating ancient street, lined with timber framed buildings which date as far back as the 14th century and is described as one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. York Minster is one of the most splendid and impressive Gothic cathedrals in the world which contains more than half of England’s medieval stained glass. Multi award winning York Castle Museum is where you can experience York’s fascinating history and next to it, you can choose to climb up the steps and admire the panoramic views of the city from the top of Cliffords Tower which was built by William the Conqueror. Sample the city’s gruesome history if you dare, by visiting the York Dungeon or step back in time to the year 975 AD as you enter the immersive Jorvik Viking Centre. The National Railway Museum is perfect for train enthusiasts and proudly showcases over 300 years of railway history.

If you enjoy shopping then you will be enchanted by the array of shops which vary from typical high street stores to unique and quirky independent shops. The Shambles, Coppergate Shopping Centre, Stonegate and Petergate, York Designer Outlet and Newgate Market all offer a diverse shopping experience that combines history with modernity in a charming and friendly setting. Fans of Harry Potter will delight in  themed shops and there is even a world famous ghost shop where you can purchase your very own unique ghost! By the way, York is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in England!

Bars, cafes and restaurants are everywhere and there is so much to choose from whether you fancy a traditional pub lunch or an afternoon tea in the delightful Betty’s which has an interesting history and a reputation for both delicious food and a traditional British tea experience!

There are several wonderful locations nearby which include the small town of Selby, known for its collection of small villages, Malton which is a delightful and historic market town and the affluent Victorian spa town of Harrogate.

Atmospheric York, full of opportunity and adventure and where every cobblestone whispers tales of history, is constantly in demand by professionals seeking a vibrant career landscape. It offers a high quality of life, fantastic career opportunities and a strong sense of community, making it ideal for families.

The next event to be hosted by the UK Careers Fair will be held on August 7th between 10am - 2pm. The venue is Hilton York, YO1 9WD. This beautiful building is situated in the heart of the city, next to Clifford’s Tower.