Leeds – Cost of Living and Location Information

With almost three-quarters of a million people living in

the Metropolitan District, Leeds is the UK 's third largest
city. As cosmopolitan as it is diverse and multicultural –
home to more than 75 different nationalities – Leeds
ranks highly in terms of satisfaction ratings. Indeed, more
than 9 in 10 people living and working in Leeds state that
the city provides a ‘great quality of life', and 94 per cent say they are proud of their
city.

Getting around Leeds

Leeds has a number of Park & Ride schemes operate on the city limits and Leeds is
well-served by a good public transport network. Frequent bus services - operated
primarily by Arriva and First Group - run throughout Leeds . Leeds City Bus Station is
situated near Kirkgate Market, in the heart of the
city centre. And the National Express coach
terminal (for long distance travel) is adjacent to the
bus station.

Leeds has one train station at its centre and is the

busiest train station outside central London .
Indeed, over 900 trains and 90,000 passengers
pass throughout the station every day, 15,000
during the morning peak alone. The Station is
located by City Square in the heart of the city
centre of Leeds with links to all 14 suburban
stations within the Leeds district, operated by
Metro.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Leeds

Oft described as the 'Knightsbridge of the North' with designer stores, independent
boutiques, high street favourites and market bargains all within easy walking
distance, Leeds is a compulsive indulgence for compulsive shopaholics. From the
elegant domed structure of the hip Corn Exchange to the exquisite Victoria Quarter –
with Harvey Nichols as its designer coup - and the endless mountain of goodies
within Kirkgate Market (the largest of its kind in the north of England), the city centre
caters for every taste and budget.

By night, Leeds really comes alive with its wide array of restaurants, bars, clubs and
other entertainment. As a former industrial northern town, Leeds' architectural
landscape is littered with former warehouses and mills that have been converted into
modern restaurants and brasseries, particularly around the appropriately named
Brewery Wharf – or ‘Left Bank' as Leeds would like it to be known. And when these
close for the evening, you can move on to one of the city's reputed DJ bars or clubs
such as Creation or The Warehouse.

Elsewhere, Briggate and North Street provide a more Bohemian feel to contrast with
the usual weekend crowd. Whereas the area in and around Call Lane is home to a
well-established gay nightlife scene.

There is a broad range of cultural attractions, including the impressive Thackray

Museum , Royal Armouries, City Art Gallery and the rustic Yorkshire Sculpture Park .
But if you prefer to take a back-seat and be entertained Leeds has a renowned
theatre (Yorkshire Playhouse) and opera and ballet scene with an international
reputation – Opera North and the Northern Ballet.

But for something a little more lively and colourful, Roundhay Park and Harewood
House regularly host both large scale music events and popular classical concerts,
whilst the Carling Festival (August) and the West Indian Carnival (August) – second
only to Notting Hill in terms of size – liven-up the summer.
Leeds also has a rich sporting heritage. Despite competing in the Champions League
and challenging for the Premiership a few years ago, Leeds United FC's misfortunes
have seen the city's leading football team drop out of the country's top tier to the
Coca-Cola League One. However, Yorkshire County Cricket and Leeds Rhino's
rugby league team have a happier time of it and are both based in the Headingly
area of the city.

Aside from the main stadia in the city, Leeds

has a vast choice of health and fitness clubs,
sporting centres for football, rugby, cricket and
hockey, the Aquatic Centre and Yeadon Tarn
sailing centre.

As well as being a thriving city Leeds has

beautiful surrounding countryside for those who
would like to explore the area. Located one
hour North of Leeds are the mysterious
Yorkshire Dales and one hour South of Leeds is
the famous Peak District. What more could you
ask for?

Main residential areas

Leeds City Centre and Woodhouse are the most popular locations for many young
professionals and students in their twenties and early thirties – the majority living in
small flats, which are a mix of purpose built or conversions.

The iconic Bridgewater Place development was recently completed and now raises
32 storeys above the city. It will soon be joined by the 54 and 32-storey towers of
Lumière, set to be the tallest residential development in Western Europe . And the
West End is a vast mixed use development area overlooking Leeds ' waterfront
containing residential, retail/leisure and office space.

One Saint Peters Square (Quarry Hill) is a striking new apartment development in the
heart of the Arts quarter. It enjoys a prominent location to the immediate east of the
city core with westerly views across the city's skyline from many apartments.
Elsewhere, Gipton, Gledhow, Harehills, Oakwood, and Roundhay are established
suburbs, housing larger professional families with homes being typically semi-
detached and family incomes are high.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Leeds is more or less the same as other cities in the UK outside
London. Many expatriates have an impression that the UK is an expensive country
to live in, however those who live and work outside London are surprised at the
amount of money they can save without changing their personal lifestyle.
There are a lot of flats and apartments available in Leeds at affordable prices. There
are many UK letting agencies and support available to assist your search to find
suitable accommodation. A lot of flats and apartments can also be found online and
the following website links have a wide range of accommodation types to choose
from.

http://www.flatsinleeds.com/rentals/Leeds/City%20Centre/572/property.aspx?
From=SearchResults

http://www.lettingweb.com/search/
(Under the region tabs search for West Yorkshire – Leeds – City Centre)

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/Leeds.html

Furnished and unfurnished flats are available along with flat shares and
accommodation in various areas of the city. When searching for a one bedroom
furnished flat in the city centre of Leeds there were multiple flats of high standard
between £500-£600 per calendar month. Flats out with the city centre are also
available at lower prices and the PwC Leeds office is only a 5 minute walk away from
the train station.

The British Government have also issued figures about the cost of living in the UK for
people thinking about relocation. The figures are based on what the government
believes is the very minimum you can live on in the UK for one year. This includes
money you require for food, toiletries, clothing and other items, and utilities. You can
reduce the cost of grocery shopping by buying fresh food, planning your meals and
shopping at local markets.

Annually Monthly Weekly

Single person age 18 - 24 £2436.20 £203.01 £46.85
Single person over 25 £3075.80 £256.31 £59.15
Couple over 18 £4825.60 £402.13 £92.80
Lone parent over 18 £3075.80 £256.31 £59.15
Extra for each dependent child (add this
£2467.40 £205.61 £47.45
amount for each child in the family)

Please note these figures are the bare minimum costs and do not include rent,
socialising and travel costs.

The following table issued by the government outlines the average cost of food and
drink.

UK cost of Food & Drink

Average weekly grocery bill (including £60
food, basic laundry and toiletry items for
2 people)
Average pub meal £6 - £10
Average restaurant meal £12 - £20
Pint of beer £2.50 - £3
Average bottle of wine £10
Average meal for two in mid-priced £40
restaurant

The following table highlights the average cost of entertainment and leisure in the
UK.

UK cost of Entertainment
Movie £7 – £10
Club/pub Entry £5 - £15
Live Music/Concerts £10+
Chart CDs £8 - £12
New Release DVD Rental £3.50