![SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]](https://sdvh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SDVH_logo_concept_4-02.svg){kind=logo}
Bearing the name of its own county, Leicester sits in the centre of Leicestershire and is the biggest city there. The city of Leicester has an incredible history dating back to 47 AD, when Romans built it as a Britannia province town. What makes Leicester wondrous is the beauty, cultural diversity and vibrant energy filled to the brim with a unique charm.
Leicester has plenty of natural and historical attractions, such as parks and natural reserves, the beautiful Great Hall, Jewry Wall and so much more. If you’re interested in moving in and looking to find out what the best area to live in Leicester is, you have come to the right place.
Best Places To Live In Leicester
These are the best places to live in Leicester.
1. Oadby
South of Leicester city lies the town of Oadby, one of the best places to live in Leicestershire county.
Oadby is a great place. The town has a lot of green space and is not too crowded, making it a nice and peaceful place to live in.
People of various ethnic backgrounds live there, which makes the town feel welcoming for everyone, in addition to having many local independent shops to check out, lessening the need for trips to the city centre.
But if we’re talking about trips, we can mention Oadby’s public transport system and its excellent transport links, allowing you to get to the Leicester city centre in half an hour.
Oadby also has its very own railway station and is situated close to the Leicester city centre with easy access to commuter routes connecting to central London as well as airports such as East Midlands Airport.
Oadby also hosts some great schools that received outstanding ratings, such as Woodland Grange Primary School and Leicester High School for Girls.
While the average house price in Oadby is slightly higher than some other regions in Leicester, it’s pretty affordable regarding the overall cost of living, so we just have to recommend it on all fronts.
2. Clarendon Park
Clarendon Park is a family-oriented suburb close to the central location of the Leicester city centre, filled with all the facilities one needs, such as markets, schools and parks.
The suburb is one of the areas near Victoria Park. Many parents, young kids, and grandparents live around Victoria Park, and Clarendon Park is overall a very safe place.
Clarendon Park Road is the bustling high street in the area and has two churches along with many stores, both international and independent, for all your needs.
This place is one of the most historical and well-known suburbs in Leicester. It is often seen as a highly desirable area to live in, especially for young professionals and families.
Clarendon Park is often described as having a village-type atmosphere with its many leafy streets and quaint shopping streets. However, it has seen substantial development occurring all around the suburb.
While Clarendon Park is a residential area with a small number of schools, there are some great primary and secondary schools and Leicester University near it.
Since average house prices and cost of living are on par with Leicester itself, we completely recommend Clarendon Park as a top pick to live in.
3. Syston
Syston is a small town northeast of Leicester city, on the outskirts.
There are many reasons why Syston is a great place to live. One of the most popular ones is that it’s a small and peaceful town with a vast range of amenities.
The shops in Syston are also excellent, with independent boutiques and small supermarkets as well as major chain stores.
Syston has decent schools, and while not on par with a town like Oadby, they still provide your children with a good education.
It has exciting and eye-pleasing parks and historical areas, such as Memorial Park, Central Park and Deville Park.
One of the benefits of Syston, making it an excellent place for commuters, is that it has great transport links, meaning that residents can easily commute to the Leicester or Nottingham city centres for work or even the airport via train.
Syston has a lot of period properties, letting you take part in the rich history by living in a piece of architectural beauty with your own detached yard.
Moving into Syston isn’t all that expensive, with the average property prices only slightly higher than the Leicester city standard, making the small town of Syston a great option to live in.
4. Evington
Evington is a ward located east of the Leicester city centre. It consists of the historical village of Evington along with the ex-council estates of Rowlatts Hill and Goodwood.
Evington is a great place to live thanks to its beautiful green spaces and good education.
There are plenty of parks – with Evington Park being used as a sort of area hub where all commuters pass through – playgrounds and recreational areas that make it easy for the friendly residents of Evington to enjoy their free time outdoors.
Speaking of Evington Park, it’s a forty-four-acre park with plenty of exercise equipment, sports fields and play areas, making it a great park for all ages.
St Paul’s Catholic Secondary School in Evington offers arts-based studies as well as more traditional courses.
There are also nice colleges in the area, such as the City of Leicester College and Crown Hills Community College.
The cost of living in Evington is surprisingly affordable. It has very good value, with properties going even lower than the average property price in Leicester, offering plenty of terraced houses for grabs. Furthermore, with all the benefits and amenities Evington offers, it is an excellent place for young families and professionals.
5. Aylestone
The Aylestone suburb is situated about a mile off Northampton Road to the south of Leicester. Aylestone is a former village which has now been absorbed into the rapid growth of Leicester.
Being a former small village, Aylestone still kept some of its rural appeal, namely lots of green spaces and a well-connected and caring small community.
Aylestone has Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve, titled that way by the Leicester City Council. Aylestone Meadows is a beautiful place with the river Soar running through it. Aylestone is also quite big, standing at twenty-two acres in size. Since Aylestone is a nature reserve, plenty of interesting wildlife and plants can be found inside, making it an excellent place to visit as well as a tourist attraction.
Aylestone also houses the popular Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
Being so close to the Leicester city centre, Aylestone is a short walk away, but if you don’t feel like walking, there is an array of transport links that will easily take you there in mere minutes.
The average property in Aylestone will run you lower than Leicester’s average property, and with its great rural feeling and amenities, it is definitely one of the best residential areas in Leicester.
6. Market Harborough
Way out, sitting at the southeastern border of Leicestershire, is the town of Market Harborough, sitting within its Harborough district.
Market Harborough has a rich history, seen in its buildings and landmarks. It also has many parks and beautiful countryside to explore.
There are many great places to visit in and around Market Harborough, such as St Dionysius Parish Church, the marketplace and the beautiful gardens at Rockingham Castle.
Market Harborough has so much to offer and there are plenty of things to do, with its large leisure centre, theatre, green parks and landmarks. The town of Market Harborough is a very safe and friendly place that you can call home.
Market Harborough hosts multiple Michelin Starred restaurants, great bars and not to mention weekly markets, which offer everything you’d want at great prices.
It has many good schools for all different ages, as well as colleges and universities for those who want to further their education.
Market Harborough also has plenty of shops, restaurants and pubs to choose from, with something for everyone’s needs.
The average house price in Market Harborough is slightly higher than in Leicester, but it remains one of the best choices in Leicestershire.
7. Braunstone
Braunstone is a vibrant town in the southwest corner of Leicester City.
It is an idyllic suburb that offers a serene yet engaging environment, with plenty of green space and parks to explore. Popular places you can visit in the area include the bustling Braunstone Park & Skatepark, tranquil Mossdale Meadows, Franklin Park and the popular natural reserve of Aylestone Meadows.
When living in Braunstone, you get to avoid frequent visits to the city centre and other areas of Leicester as the neighbourhood has several local shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Braunstone is a perfect place for growing families, with easy access to educational institutions in the area and various types of property to choose from.
The crown jewel in Braunstone is Narborough Road, an exciting two-kilometre stretch filled with some of Britain’s quirkiest bars, eateries, stores and other attractions that make it the most eclectic street throughout England.
Braunstone is an ideal place to buy a home in Leicester, boasting attractive and surprisingly affordable period homes.
8. Rothley
Rothley, a small village in Leicestershire’s Charnwood Borough, provides the ideal balance of rural and urban living. For starters, it is within close proximity of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, three vibrant cities.
The village boasts an abundance of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, making it a great area for leisurely strolls or fun bike rides.
The centre has been well preserved, so it’s an interesting place to explore. Rothley is filled with Victorian and historical architecture that wasn’t touched on during the industrial revolution.
Rothley has plenty of green spaces too! A lovely park at the top of the hill offers views over the whole village. And there are plenty of other walks and cycle rides nearby if that’s your thing.
Rothley has its own Rothley Tennis Club as well as Rothley Golf Club.
Rothley isn’t far from Leicester like Market Harborough, so you can easily commute there via car or other transport. Still, Rothley is better for retirees and people who want a quiet and lovely life away from the bustle of the big city.
Slightly more affluent, Rothley’s property prices do stand over the Leicester average, but not by far, making it a proper choice for anyone looking for a peaceful life.
Make sure your house move goes as smoothly as possible. Hire a box van from SDVH and transport all your loads in a single trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leicester A Good Place To Live?
Leicester is a good place to live. With its historical looks, plentiful amenities and bountiful picturesque parks, it is no surprise Leicester has seen an upswing in interest and investments. Leicester also offers great diversity and culture, with plenty of highly multi-ethnical communities, making it a fun and vibrant place. Leicester is also an extremely affordable city in England, making it a great choice for first-time buyers.
What Is Leicester Famous For?
Leicester is famous for a lot of things. Examples of green scenery in this context are Victoria Park and Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve. Places and buildings that make Leicester famous are the National Space Centre, New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester Castle Hotel and above all, the Premier League winners of 2016, Leicester City F.C.
What Are The Best Primary Schools In Leicester?
The best primary schools in Leicester are:
- Sparkenhoe Community Primary School
- Charnwood Primary School
- Parks Primary School
- Highfields Primary School
- St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy
There are places with outstanding schools outside of Leicester as well. Oadby is one of the best, with Woodland Grange Primary School and Leicester High School for Girls as examples.
Is Leicester Safe?
Leicester is safe depending on the area you live in. Leicester is definitely not the safest city in the UK, standing at the halfway point, slightly safer than Glasgow and Liverpool but not even close to cities like Edinburgh and Aberdeen. All of the places in Leicester we put on the list are some of the safer areas of Leicester.
Conclusion
For anyone looking for a city to call home in central England, there aren’t many better options than the top pics in Leicester. Now that you know the best area to live in Leicester, you’re one step closer to completing a move to this dream city. Get ready to enjoy great educational and business possibilities, different amenities and an array of leisure and cultural activities in the listed neighbourhoods.
