If you want to live close enough to Leeds city centre for work but be able to branch out and have plenty of space at home – where should you buy a new home?
Places like Horsforth, Far Headingley and Roundhay are frequently touted as ‘des-res’ addresses, but what if you want somewhere that has everything you need but is within a typical family home budget?
We and some of the property experts we work with are inviting people to consider two areas where it is building – Garforth, home to the two, three and four-bedroom homes of Aspen Park; and Thorpe Park, one of Leeds’ newest and most exciting neighbourhoods, which features two contrasting developments, The Point and The Avenue.
Homes at these developments tick all the boxes; they feature open-plan and flexible living spaces, have private gardens, boast ultrafast Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband – a must when working from home - while being close to amenities, plenty of open space and, most importantly, near enough to the city centre for work.
Steve Jackson, sales director for the Yorkshire division says: “These are all things that came out top in a recent survey which showed how people have reassessed what they want from their next home in the wake of the Covid pandemic and numerous lockdowns.”
In that survey, 64% of Yorkshire respondents said having private outdoor space and bigger kitchens (43%) were the top priorities, as well as being near green open space and smaller shops for essential items. And, while many are still working from home, 47% of respondents said they suspect that they will continue to go into the office part-time when lockdowns are lifted – so easy access to the city centre is a must.
Yorkshire property expert Andrew Demain, from online estate agency Property Perspective agrees that both areas are good options for families, young professionals and even downsizers in search of their next home.
“Garforth is an aspirational address for residents of North East Leeds and is especially good for young families. It’s that bit nearer to the countryside and has a number of OFSTED rated ‘good’ primary schools, while Garforth Academy is rated ‘outstanding’ for secondary pupils,” says Andrew, whose firm helps Yorkshire home owners find buyers for their existing properties using Help to Sell so they can progress to a brand new Redrow home.
“Meanwhile, the combination of retail, leisure, offices and now homes at Thorpe Park is changing this location to a real work/live/relax destination. There’s easy access to the M1 and Crossgate station 1.5 miles away offers direct trains to York and Leeds. However, with the North Leeds link road coming soon and hopefully a new train station, Thorpe Park provides the opportunity to buy now before the whole infrastructure is here and prices potentially rocket.”
Aspen Park, in Garforth, offers a beautiful mix of family-sized mews, semi and townhouse properties from our Georgian-influenced Regent Collection. It blends period features and contemporary interiors. East Garforth Station is just a few minutes’ walk away with direct services to Leeds in just 13 minutes and York in 21 minutes.
Prices start at £259,950 for the two-bedroom Cadogan, a home that will appeal equally to young couples or anyone who may be looking at downsizing to free up some money from a larger family home. Top price is the Montpellier semi, at £337,950, which has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fabulous open plan kitchen/dining room overlooking the garden.
At Thorpe Park there’s a mix of contemporary looking apartments and houses at The Point, with current prices from £204,950 for a two-bed apartment; and more traditional three and four-bedroom houses at neighbouring The Avenue, currently from £314,950 for the semi-detached Ludlow.
Sales centres and show homes are open by appointment only:
For Aspen Park call 0113 213 6245 or go to www.redrow.co.uk/aspenpark
For Thorpe Park call 0113 537 4487 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/thorpepark