“Bradford owes its success to its hardworking population, which has a 97.2% employment rate”

Moving to Bradford

At a glance, Bradford appears strikingly well-rounded, topping the restaurant charts as Curry Capital of Britain and boasting the title of UNESCO City of Film status. Add the historical touch of the Brontë Country to the west, the high-flying University of Bradford in the centre, and the stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales from the summit of Clayton Heights, and you get a city which hits every target.

Bradford is an area rich in history to say the least. Records identify Bingley as originating in Saxon times, and in the case of Shipley, it dates to the Bronze Age. Having had an immense input into the textiles industry during the Industrial Revolution, Bradford owes its success to its hardworking population which has a 97.2% employment rate. Although this is lower than the national average of 98.1%, this is a record employment rate for the district.

House prices in Bradford

One of the area’s biggest draws is the property prices, as living in this is area is a very budget-friendly choice for many residents – particularly in comparison to prices in Leeds. The average property price in Bradford is around £122,000 as of 2017, with Wibsey and Sagely coming out as some of the most affordable places to live with properties costing an average of £114,000 and £92,000 respectively. Meanwhile in Keighley, home owners may wish to profit from the swift increase in property prices, which are up 6% since 2015. It also should be noted that properties near the centre of each town are reasonably priced given their locations, which may appeal to less mobile retired people.

“The average property price in Bradford is around £122,000 as of 2017, with Wibsey and Sagely coming out as some of the most affordable places”

Transport

Connections to the rest of the UK are strong in Bradford, with trains running north and south from Shipley, serving Carlisle and London, and destinations such as Leeds and Manchester accessible from Bradford Interchange station. More locally, trams and buses both operate in the city of Bradford, while Bingley possesses a railway station, and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal runs through the district. To top it all off, the Leeds-Bradford Airport is easily accessible from the city, making international holidays or business trips just a short ride away.

Lifestyle

As the Curry Capital of Britain in 2013, it comes as no surprise that Bradford has an excellent selection of Indian restaurants, with the likes of MyLahore, Shimlas and Jinnah Bradford leading the way.  But the city is also home to a vast array of other cuisines, including popular pub The Stansfield Arms, Salt’s Diner in Shipley and the authentic Classic Persian, as well as popular chains such as Pizza Hut and Nando’s.

For those looking to shop, the city is also well served by two shopping centres – The Broadway and The Kirkgate – both of which are located in the city centre. The former has over 80 shops and services, including Debenhams, Next and Topshop as well as cafes and coffee shops. The Kirkgate is slightly smaller with around 60 units, and offers many useful brand such as Sports Direct, Boots and Argos. Foster Square is another, smaller shopping centre, while for something a little different Sunbridge Wells offers boutiques, restaurants and a tourist attraction in old Victorian tunnels under the city.

Groceries

If you’re looking to do the family shop, Bradford has a wide array of supermarkets to choose from, ranging from a Tesco Superstore and branches of Asda and Morrisons to a diverse range of international food stores, including the Al Halal Supermarket, Sing Kee Supermarket and KanaPeena Supermarket.

Health & Sport

Bradford is served by a mix of national gym chains and council run-services, including branches of Xercise4Less, and PureGym. For those seeking something more specific, a range of different centres can also be found such as the Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, the Thaiboxing Gym and the Jungle City Cross Fit.

Culture

Despite failing to win the European Capital of Culture in 2008, Bradford offers a wealth of attractions and activities for those seeking entertainment. Film distribution and production is a huge part of the city’s history, and as a result it was named the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in 2009. There’s a long-running animation festival here, an International Indian Film Festival, and a number of different cinemas. Theatres are also in good supply, with the Bradford Alhambra Theatre, offering critically-acclaimed performances such as The Lion King and War Horse.

Other cultural highlights include museums such as the National Media Museum, the Bradford Industrial Museum and Bolling Hall Museum, whilst art lovers are bound to be seduced by the Cartwright Hall gallery in Lister Park.

“Film distribution and production is a huge part of the city’s history, and as a result it was named the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in 2009”

Schools and Education

Many schools in the Bradford area are still struggling, with a 2013 survey suggesting that only 53% of pupils are achieving A-C grades at GCSE, significantly lower than the UK average. However, there are still some good schools in the area, including a number of primary schools such as Shirley Manor Primary School, Stanbury Village School and Oxenhope CofE Primary School where 100% of pupils are achieving excepted levels of Maths and English. For older children, the best secondary schools in Bradford include the independent Bradford Grammar School, and Bingley Grammar School and St Joseph’s in the state sector.

The area is also home to the University of Bradford, which regularly ranks among the UK’s top 100 universities and is one of the greenest universities in the world. In addition, 92% of Bradford’s graduates are either in work or pursuing further study within 6 months of graduation, a very promising figure for students considering this university.

Safety

The crime rate in Bradford is higher than the UK average, particularly for incidents such as burglary and anti-social behaviour. Most incidents are concentrated around more built-up areas in the south, such as Greengages and Oakworth, while the more rural north is much quieter.

Green Space

Bradford has a number of good parks within its boundaries, with nearly 20% of the area covered by green space – making it one to the top 10 greenest cities in the UK. Of the 36 public parks in the area, ten of these are on the English Heritage Register and a number of others have won Green Flag Awards. Leading parks in Bradford include Lister Park, which boasts a boating lake, cafe and botanical gardens, and Roberts Park,  where you’ll find a family-friendly play area and skate park.

Popular links in Bradford