The most popular locations to move to in Leicester

Introduction 

Moving to a new area can be both exciting and daunting, especially if you don’t have a specific location in mind.

It’s important to fully research your shortlist of locations and find out everything you can; have a look online at the local newspaper and council websites, speak to local estate agents, check Ofsted ratings for schools in the area, see what clubs and facilities there are. It’s a big decision so you’ll want to get it right.

If you’ve narrowed it down to Leicester, the chances are you’re already on the right track. Ranked as the best place to live in 2017 according to Good Growth, there’s no denying that Leicester has got a lot going for it. The city is multicultural, diverse and vibrant, packed full of innovation and enterprise, world-famous sports, entertainment venues and a variety of suburbs and villages, each with its own unique features and selling points. 

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary

If you’re looking to move to a new area, due diligence is vital. It also pays to understand a location’s appeal if you’re looking to sell. 

Leicester is full of diverse suburbs and surrounding towns and villages, so it’s very likely there’s a location to suit everyone, from families with active children, to retired couples seeking a slower pace, or young professionals wanting the full buzz of city life.

The key is understanding the local area and market enough to get a good deal – whether you’re buying or selling. 

As one of the longest established independent estate agents in Leicester, there’s not much we don’t know about this city – hidden gems, quirks, hot spots and all, so get in touch with us today to find out more. If you’re selling, we even offer free home valuations.

Choosing a location for your lifestyle 

We sell homes across Leicestershire and have a good understanding of what people are looking for in a community and which locations can fit the bill. Your perfect town or neighbourhood needs to meet your lifestyle, and everyone’s priorities are different, whether it’s good transport links, decent schools, a nearby football team, vibrant night-life or something else.

With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some of the most popular locations in Leicester for buying and selling property and highlighted the features which make them such a draw.

Popular locations in Leicester

Clarendon Park

Like many parts of Leicester, Clarendon Park is vibrant and culturally diverse. It’s just two miles south of the city centre yet still has its own atmosphere, with much of the retail and evening entertainment to be found in Queen’s Road and Clarendon Park Road.

The area is well-known for its community of small independent businesses and you’ll discover a delightful array of cafes, gift shops and vintage stores, such as The Bloom Project and All About Daisy, which give Clarendon Park an entrepreneurial edge.

There’s also a plethora of stunning places of worship representing a variety of faiths, including The Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, St John the Baptist, Geeta Bhavan Hindu Temple and the Chinese Christian Church which make for a cultural and diverse neighbourhood, where everyone is welcome and included.

As the name suggests, you will also find a surprising number of parks, providing a little slice of oasis on the edge of the city. These are perfect for budget-friendly days out with the family. You can even join regular guided walks to find out more about the area and meet the locals.

Because of Clarendon Park’s wonderful mixture of retail, business, parks, entertainment, religion and proximity to the city, it really does provide an attractive location for lots of people, whether families, students, young professionals or retired couples.

Oadby

Oadby is the perfect destination for those seeking the energy and opportunity of a small town, combined with the sense of community and green spaces you’d expect from a more rural countryside location.

The area has a rich heritage. The first record of settlers dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, but like many areas, it was conquered by the Danes. And although it was later freed from Danish rule by King Alfred the Great, Oadby has retained its Danish name to this day. 

It has expanded rapidly in recent years and has a good range of shops, services and facilities along The Parade. There’s an array of schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted, including Brocks Hill Primary School, Gartree High School and Beauchamp College, which is a significant draw for families. 

Oadby also has a local football club, rugby union team, roller derby league, tennis club and a leisure centre, so there are plenty of activities for families and youngsters to get involved in. Then for the weekend, you’ll find several parks to explore including Coombe Park, Rosemead Park, Uplands Park and Brocks Hill Country Park, all perfect for summer strolls and crisp winter walks.

The area is also home to Leicester Racecourse, The University of Leicester Botanical Garden and an industrial estate, so opportunities for learning and enterprise are also rife. And on top of all that, Leicester city centre is just 3.5 miles away.

Check out this recent 4 bedroom Oadby property that we recently sold.

Knighton Fields 

Knighton Fields is a small area just a couple of miles south of the city centre, neighbouring the Clarendon Park area. It’s a stone’s throw from the University of Leicester so you won’t be surprised to find it is a thriving and bustling part of the city. Our property experts have a wealth of experience selling properties in Knighton. 

This area has managed to preserve and protect its historic roots, which is evident in the many examples of stunning architecture which make this such an attractive place to live.

The community is also particularly well-served by sports and leisure facilities, with places like Active Leicester Aylestone Leisure Centre, Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium, a 5G football pitch and Leicestershire Cricket Club, all within walking distance. This makes Knighton Fields a great choice among active families and individuals.

Of course, Knighton Fields is also very well connected to the city centre, with all that a big city has to offer within easy reach whenever you want it.

Syston 

You know those places where everything is on your doorstep and you need never venture anywhere else if you didn’t want to? That’s Syston. It’s located on the very northern fringe of Leicester City Centre. At around six miles, it’s close enough that you could commute, but far enough away to be surrounded by green fields and countryside. It may be a small town, but there’s definitely a village vibe in the air.

Syston has a lot of charm and a lot to offer, including an impressive retail offer for its size, made up of a good mix of big-name retailers and small independent traders. It is particularly well known for its interesting and award-winning bars and restaurants, including the quirky Pharmacie Arms micropub, which is listed on the 2022 Good Beer Guide, as well as the Midland Railway Hotel, the Dog and Gun and the Fox and Hounds.  

Not forgetting that Syston is of course home to the legendary Pukka Pie! What more could you want?!

The self-contained community feel means Syston is a popular choice among older couples, with the added bonus of the nearby Beedles Lake Golf Course and Watermead Park, complete with sculptures, open spaces and ancient lakes.

Stoneygate 

For many reasons, Stoneygate is quite the hidden gem of locations in Leicester. It’s two miles from the city centre and just off the main route in, so is often a popular choice among students, young professionals and couples.

What really stands out is the stunning architecture on display throughout the area. This largely residential suburb is characterised by some amazing large Victorian houses and Edwardian buildings, including examples of the oldest and grandest homes once built by well-off commercial families to imitate the style of country estates.

Stoneygate’s historical significance led to it being designated a Conservation Area by the council back in the 1970s and makes it a beautiful place to live in and walk around.

There’s no lack of the modern either; the retail community is buzzing with independent boutiques and cafes, including Outerspace, Nest Gift Shop, The Baking Room and Skindeep Laser and Beauty. It has all the right ingredients for relaxed drinking and dining.

It is well serviced by schools, including private schools, and the Botanic Garden and Attenborough Arboretum, where you can see global diversity on display.

To conclude

Whatever your heart desires, there’s somewhere for everyone to feel at home in Leicester, you just need to find it. That’s where trusted local estate agents with intimate knowledge of an area are invaluable.

We want nothing more than to find you the perfect home, and we’re completely ‘at home’ in doing just that. If you’re not sure about where the best location might be, just give us a call for a consultation and we’ll be happy to help.

Equally, if you’re looking to sell, our years of experience in the Leicester property market mean we are well-placed to highlight your property’s unique selling points for a quick sale at the best price. Get in touch with our expert advisors today.