During your Cheshire property search, Chester will almost certainly have featured in your conversations. A picture perfect, historic Roman city straddling the River Dee, Chester offers something for everyone; whether you’re a young professional looking for a contemporary apartment, a family looking for your forever home or downsizers wishing to relocate to a small city with vibrant culture right on the doorstep.
Whilst Chester is known as tourist destination, its leisure and entertainment offering is just as appealing to local residents. The world-renowned Chester Zoo offers family memberships and the regular programme of music, theatre and literature festivals – many now housed at the new state of the art Storyhouse theatre – always appeal to the grown-ups. A great selection of bars, restaurants and shops also ensure the city is lively day and night all year round.
Slightly further afield, those enjoying the great outdoors can find Delamere Forest and the Sandstone Trail (approx. 20 mins) or Snowdonia National Park and the beaches of North Wales within about 1 hour’s drive.
Who would benefit from a Chester, Cheshire property search?
With a population of a little over 80,000 Chester is a small city but punches well above its weight with the lifestyle and attractions on offer. Families in particular are often drawn to this picturesque city due to the variety of excellent schooling, high quality of life and the safe environment that the city provides.
There are a number of high performing independent and state schools within Chester, including The King’s School (co-ed ages 4-18), The Queen’s School (girls age 4-18) and Christleton High School ( co-ed age 11-18). This is fantastic for those with younger families as you can be confident that the education your children receive is of absolute top quality. The University of Chester is also growing and thriving, ensuring that your family will not outgrow this city in a hurry.
With a number of large multi-national companies such as Airbus, Vauxhall, Bank of America, Unilever and Bristol Myers Squibb nearby, employment opportunities in the city are excellent . However, the commute to and from cities such as Manchester (approx. 1 hour) and Liverpool (approx. 40 mins) allows many people to live in Chester whilst taking advantage of the convenient rail and motorway links to commute. Even the Virgin train to London takes only 2 hours!
Over recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in living within or close to the city walls. This is often from older, retired people looking to be close to the shopping, leisure and cultural activities on offer and still be able to live in an attractive environment.
Recently crowned as the most accessible city in Europe for modern disabled access, the older and less able bodied can still gain access to the historic city walls and unique “Rows” of two-tiered shopping.
What type of housing is available in a Chester, Cheshire property search?
The city is extremely rich in history, particularly Roman, so there is a wide variety of property from large family homes to newly built, modern city centre apartments. Many of the city’s most exclusive properties – including large riverside villas- are to be found south of the River Dee in Curzon Park and Queens Park.
As the oldest suburb of Chester, nearby Handbridge offers a wide range of properties from old fisherman’s cottages and Victorian terraces to large detached family homes – all of which are within walking distance of the city centre.
Alternatively, young professionals and families looking for their first home have the option of contemporary apartments in the city centre or trendy Hoole. Increasingly known as “Notting Hoole” due to its buzzing high street, bars, restaurants and strong community feel, this suburb of Victorian terraced properties is a popular “urban village” close to the city centre, railway and motorway links.
How much does property cost in Chester?
Property prices in and around Chester can vary considerably depending on the type of property and the location.
- For a 4-5 bed family property, you can expect to pay in the region of £500,000 to £750,000. However if you are looking for a riverside view there is likely to be a significant premium attached to this.
- A large Victorian property close to the river will often fetch in excess of 1 million.
- For a typical 1930s/50s 3 bed, semi-detached house in a good location the price is likely to be in the region of £250,000.
- Modern two bedroom apartments can start from £130,00 and are attractive to first time buyers as well as investors wanting to take advantage of the thriving rental market of students and young professionals.
If you are interested in starting a Chester or Cheshire Property search, please contact our local Property Finder on 0330 223 6339.
