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 - (the nearest being Scarborough), 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 Airport but is also situated not too far from other local international airports. The railway station which was opened in 1877 has 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 as it is partly surrounded by ancient walls known as the City Walls.(these are also known as the Bar Walls or Roman Walls),  and four gatehouses. Centuries ago, York often found the need to defend itself from enemies ~ hence the building of the walls. These date from medieval times but there are remains dating as far back from Roman times. They are carefully managed and maintained by the City Of York Council.

With a successful heritage of railways and chocolate, York has become a highly respected and thriving economic success which is forecast to grow. York has a strong economy which is consistently among the strongest in the UK and is well regarded due to its knowledge for research, innovation and development. York has a low unemployment rate and a well educated workforce with over 40% having a degree or equivalent with new talent constantly emerging from the universities and colleges.

There are many global and well known companies here with industries such as biotechnology, digital, creative and IT, finance, professional services, hospitality, retail, education, healthcare, rail and service sectors flourishing. Tourism is also a very big business indeed with millions of visitors each year (this includes myself!) which generates hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue and creates thousands of jobs.

The city is known throughout the world for its academic excellence and there are two excellent 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 over 150 countries worldwide.

York has more attractions per square mile than any other city within the UK. The Shambles is a truly fascinating ancient street which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. York Minster is one of the most splendid and impressive gothic cathedrals in the world. York Castle Museum is where you can experience York’s fascinating and sometimes gruesome history over the past few hundred years. The Yorvik Viking Centre is an engaging and interactive experience where you will step back in time to the Viking era. Climb up the steps and admire the panoramic views of York from the top of Cliffords Tower which was built by William the Conqueror.

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. Fans of Harry Potter will delight in the themed shops and there is even a world famous ghost shop where you can purchase your very own unique ghost!.

Bars, cafes and restaurants are everywhere and there is so much to choose from whether you fancy a traditional pub lunch in a haunted inn, (yes -  York is the most haunted city in Europe!) or a charming ‘Afternoon Tea’ in the delightful Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms.

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.

York is a place which remains very much in demand and is one of the most desirable cities to live in the UK, so be prepared to be quick off the mark when looking for properties as they don't tend to stay on the market for long. However, there are some really magnificent properties in and around York where there are so many hidden gems to be found in this extremely atmospheric and magical city which is full of adventure and opportunity.