Leeds is one of the most exciting cities to visit in England. Hundreds of thousands of people are proud to call the northern town their home, and many more visit every year to enjoy the incredible restaurants, parks, culture, nightlife, and education opportunities.
Whatever part of Leeds you are in, something will undoubtedly interest you, from Tropical World in Roundhay Park, in the far north-east of the city, to checking out Elland Road stadium in the far south-west and everywhere in between.
Leeds is worth checking out regardless of your interests, age or budget.
If you are planning a trip to Leeds shortly or considering moving there permanently, you will want a clear overview of the city. After all, subjects such as crime rate, population, amenities, broadband speed, and transport links are rarely covered by tourist platforms. That’s why we’ve created a clear, detailed area guide below.
So, if you want to know all the important details about Leeds, you’re in the right place.
Leeds Amenities
Amenities are the backbone of any major city, and Leeds certainly has plenty of them. From parks to leisure centres, libraries to hotels, and countless other open spaces, you will hopefully have everything you need within walking distance.
Public restrooms can be found around the city, including at Leeds Train Station and the Trinity Leeds shopping centre. Both locations offer free Wi-Fi and a major car park, and car parks can be found around the rest of the town, too. Free Wi-Fi should also be easy to access at cafes and restaurants. However, it is common courtesy to buy an item while visiting.
Parks in Leeds have benches for you to use at your leisure, as well as areas for bicycle storage or locking. These places also have football, rugby, and cricket pitches that you are often free to use at your leisure.
Several leisure centres in Leeds provide storage for personal possessions. You should also be able to find a gym in many of these buildings.
For religious people, there are places of worship all over Leeds, catering to different beliefs. Christians, Hindus, Muslims and more should all be able to find somewhere to spend time in the city.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Leeds Population
The latest official figures show that Leeds has a population of 812,000. This number has increased by 8.1% over the past decade, which makes Leeds the fourth largest city in the UK. It has a larger population than other major urban areas such as Portsmouth, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham.
Over the past few decades, there has been a noticeable change in the ethnicities that Leeds is populated with. The latest findings show that the ethnic split in the town is as follows:
- White: 85%
- Asian: 7.7%
- Black: 3.5%
- Mixed: 2.7%
- Arab: 0.5%
- Other: 0.6%
Leeds’s median age has increased between the two most recent censuses, from 35 to 36. Some experts have argued that this is reflected by the rising property prices in the city, as it is becoming more challenging for a young person to afford to live there.
Furthermore, the number of people aged 50 to 64 rose by around 17,200 (up by 14%). In comparison, the number of residents between 20 and 24 years fell by just over 1,400 (2% decrease).
You will notice a change in the religious beliefs of people in Leeds compared to decades prior. The current ratio of religion in the city is as follows:
- Christian: 42.3%
- Atheist: 40.2%
- Muslim: 7.8%
- Sikh: 1.2%
- Hindu: 1.1%
The number of people privately renting in Leeds has decreased in recent years, as has the number of married people. These small changes tend to be similar in other major cities around England.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Developments in Leeds
Leeds City Council is currently planning several developments throughout the city, with planning permission being granted for several spaces. This is necessary to meet the city’s ever-rising population and the high number of companies setting up shops in Leeds.
The previous House of Fraser store on Briggate is due to be made into nine floors of university student accommodation, and a £350 million redevelopment project is already underway on Kirkstall Road.
The city council has also been progressing with plans for a major new hotel development on George Street, near Kirkgate Market. Rumours also abound that the British Library, currently based in London, is considering a northern base in Leeds, on the site of Temple Works.
As more people visit Leeds every year, there is also a growing need for additional infrastructure. For example, Crown Point Road in the southeast of the city is currently being transformed to create more space for walking and cycling and new bus facilities. This demonstrates the city’s ongoing commitment to developing in an eco-friendly way.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Crime rate in Leeds
By the end of 2023, Leeds’s crime rate was higher than the average across similar areas. This is not uncommon for such a major city, though, and like with any large town, certain neighbourhoods experience far lower levels of crime than others.
The city centre has the highest crime levels in Leeds, followed by Beeston. Armley and New Wortley have also been featured high up on this list. By contrast, some of the safest parts of Leeds are the ones generally considered ‘wealthier’—for example, Horsforth, Roundhay, and Headingley.
The types of crime most common in Leeds are violent crime, public order crime, shoplifting, and antisocial behaviour.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Leeds job opportunities
Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder or become self-employed and start your own business, Leeds has something for you. It is a thriving city with hundreds of companies and thousands of people in active employment.
Indeed, the latest statistics show that 77.3% of Leeds’s adult population is in active employment, which is considerably higher than the UK and Yorkshire averages of 75.8% and 74.7%, respectively.
Many organisations continue to invest more resources in Leeds as they see the enormous potential of the city’s workforce. As things stand, some of the largest employers in the town include:
- Asda Group
- First Direct
- Centrica
- Ventura
- BT
- Direct Line Group
- Yorkshire Bank
Leeds also has a well-educated workforce, ranking above the national and Yorkshire average for people with an RQF4 qualification or higher.
On the self-employed front, meanwhile, the number of mid-size and large companies and organisations based in Leeds is significantly above the national average. The city council is also introducing several innovation initiatives and funds for start-ups to encourage people in Leeds to forge their own paths.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Leeds broadband speed
As one of the largest cities in the UK, it may come as no surprise that broadband providers have invested considerable resources in giving Leeds residents the best service possible. Those willing to pay for it can even access gigabit broadband in the city, which provides speeds of over 1,000 Mbps.
Fast fibre broadband is still available for households that have yet to receive full fibre coverage. These connections typically offer speeds between 36 and 68Mbps, which is sufficient for the everyday internet usage of most households.
Sky, BT, EE, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, and Vodafone are among the most popular broadband providers in Leeds, but there are plenty of other smaller options, too.
You should not have trouble with your signal throughout the city—with so many people working from home, the network providers have invested to ensure that almost anyone can make and receive calls at all times.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Leeds transport links
Buses are arguably the most commonly used method of transport in Leeds, with thousands of people relying on these to get to work every day. You can find information sites and online webpages that provide clear details on the timetables of these buses.
Train stations are dotted around Leeds, including Burley Park, Cottingley, Cross Gates, and Headingley.
The city council has invested in increasing the number of bicycle paths around Leeds and widening the walkways so that eco-friendly methods of transport are made more convenient.
Meanwhile, for those travelling by car, the A64 and the A58 are two major A-roads that go through the town centre and connect you to nearby motorways and suburban districts. The Headrow and Headingley Lane, amongst others, are also major streets that connect you to the heart of town.
Electric vehicle charging points are slowly becoming more frequent in Leeds as the demand for them increases and the number of electric cars around the city increases.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Where to eat in Leeds
There’s no limit to the range of cuisines on offer in Leeds, so whatever your palette or price range, you should be able to find something that suits you well.
A lot of foot traffic in the city goes through the Trinity Mall shopping centre, so it’s no surprise that many recognisable fast food chains can be found here. Wagamama’s, Nando’s, YO Sushi and McDonald’s are all family staples and have suitable food for all ages.
However, if you’re looking for a fine dining experience or want to support independent business owners, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
Some of the most famous fine dining restaurants in Leeds include:
- Dakota Restaurant
- Issho
- Tattu Leeds
- Home Restaurant
- Chef Jono at V&V
If you enjoy Asian food, Leeds has plenty to try out. Chino Latino, The Ivy Asia, Chaophraya, Thai Edge Restaurant, and Mr Yang are all well-reviewed by former customers.
Groupings of food options all in one place can be found on some of the city’s busiest high streets, such as Great George Street, Woodhouse Lane, and Albion Place.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
What’s Leeds like?
Leeds is a lovely place to live, so thousands of people move there every year. Whether you enjoy partying regularly, spending quiet time in the suburbs, or trying new adventures at exciting local destinations, Leeds has a little bit of something for everyone.
For those who live in the city, the ‘young’ and ‘trendy’ vibe partly comes from it being home to two major universities: the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. Many of these students live in Hyde Park, Headingley, Burley, Woodhouse or the City Centre, so you may notice a more youthful presence here.
Leeds is well-connected to other major cities in the north of England, making it easy to enjoy a weekend away. It is also no surprise that so many people who visit Leeds temporarily end up permanently moving there: it is a town that instantly makes you feel at home, with lots of friendly people, enjoyable ways to pass the time, and (on the whole) more affordable property prices than some expensive cities in the south.
If you’d like information about selling your house fast in Leeds, get in touch today.
Leeds: Where to go
There are many exciting things to do and visit in the city of Leeds, so if you’re only visiting for a weekend, you will undoubtedly have your hands full. Some of the most frequently visited places include:
- Royal Armouries Museum
- Tropical World
- Leeds Art Gallery
- Victoria Quarter
- Middleton Park
- Henry Moore Institute
If you enjoy seeing live events, then Leeds is also an ideal city for you. Not only is there a strong sporting history, but the arts are alive and well in Leeds, with theatre, opera, music and more all available around the town. All of these venues regularly host live shows, and you should check their calendars to see what’s coming up:
- The Grand Theatre and Opera House
- First Direct Arena
- Belgrave Music Hall
- Brudenell Social Club
To check out the city’s sports teams, you should visit Elland Road (home to Leeds United FC) or see Leeds Rhinos play at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium.
If you have a tenanted house in Leeds that you want to sell, get in touch today.
Leeds: Where to stay
Whether you’re looking for a high-quality hotel for the entire family or a small Airbnb room suitable for just yourself, Leeds has plenty of options. Thousands of people travel to the city every month, so it’s no surprise that there is a wide variety of accommodation.
Some of the highest-rated hotels in Leeds are:
- Dakota Hotel (five-star rated)
- The Queens Hotel (four-star rated)
- DoubleTree by Hilton (four-star rated)
- Novotel Leeds (four-star rated)
- Quebecs Hotel (four-star rated)
Many of these hotels will be expensive, though. If you’re on a tighter budget, finding one of the budget hotels – or even a hostel or cheaper Bed and Breakfast – may be better.
As a final option, if you are visiting during the warmer months and want a rural retreat outside of the city centre, you could even check out locations such as Glenfield Caravan Park, Squires Caravan Camping, or Maustin Park.
If you want to sell your Leeds flat fast, contact us today.
Leeds’ property market
According to Rightmove, the average price of a property in Leeds is currently £254,781. This is less expensive than the UK average and several major cities further south, such as London and Brighton.
If you are looking to buy a house in Leeds, the amount you pay will vary greatly, depending on the type of property, its size, location, and more. For example, the mean house price in Leeds (based on type) changes as follows:
- Detached: £509,000
- Semi-detached: £274,000
- Terraced: £200,000
- Flat: £170,000
Some areas are generally more expensive than others throughout the city, too. Bramhope, Alwoodley, Calverley and Horsforth are often ranked as four more costly places to live, where crime rates are lower, and the schools are slightly more ‘exclusive’.
On the other hand, in neighbourhoods like Beeston, Osmondthorpe, Hunslet and Armley, houses are far less expensive and, therefore, more achievable for first-time buyers and/or people on a low salary.
Renting in Leeds is less expensive than the UK average, with the typical monthly costs being as follows:
- One bedroom: £922 per calendar month
- Two bedrooms: £1,235 per calendar month
- Three bedrooms: £1,492 per calendar month
- Four bedrooms: £1,890 per calendar month
- Five bedrooms: £2,432 per calendar month
The average price is £1,531 throughout the entire city when looking at all property types.
If you are keen to get involved with the property market in Leeds, you should visit the area you are considering in person and see whether you enjoy the atmosphere. Reading about a location online can only tell you a certain amount, and sometimes you need to go there yourself.
There are many mortgage lenders/banks around Leeds that can help you get a mortgage and onto the property ladder. You should speak to any of these organisations directly for more advice.
Contact us today if you want to sell your property to a Leeds cash house buyer.
