Plymouth area guides
For an easy way to find information about some key local areas in Plymouth start by searching our Plymouth area guide. Alphabetically ordered by area name you'll find all you want to know about Plymouth - from local area highlights, the latest property to buy or rent, leading local Estate Agencies and lists of local area resources.
Located in the county of Devon, Plymouth is a city in the south west of England. Boasting the largest operational naval base in Western Europe, the city is also home to the UK's fourth largest university, with the University of Plymouth educating 30, 000 students. The cityâ~@~Ys population was recorded at 240,720 in the 2001 Census, and Plymouth has one of the least multi-cultural populations in the UK, with a massive 98 per cent of the populace being white ad only 0.3 per cent Asian or Asian British and just 0.19 per cent black or black British [1] . Of the eligible working population, 3.2 per cent was recorded as unemployed in the 2001 Census (just lower than the 3.3 per cent national average) [2] . However, the decline of heavy industries the area has traditionally relied upon has affected employment figures in recent years.
The city has always based much of its economy on its coastal location, but has recently diversified into, amongst others, healthcare food and drink, with engineering still contributing significantly. The city's large student body also plays a considerable role in the local economy. Furthermore, Plymouthâ~@~Ys rich history (Francis Drake, the Mayflower, and other noteworthy connections) provides a huge boost to the cityâ~@~Ys tourism.
Generally considered to be a milder and wetter climate than most other parts of England, Plymouth has an average high temperature of only 20ðC in July, with an average low of just 5ðC in January. Average rainfall is nearlycm in December and is as high as 3.7cm in June [3] .
In terms of location and accessibility, Plymouth is the last major city towards the most south westerly point of England, so is more difficult to reach than other key centres. In addition, Plymouth has no major motorway links nearby and travellers to the city by road must rely on the A38 dual-carriageway, which only connects to the M5 motorway 40 miles east of the city (near Exeter). First Great Western railway lines run between London and Penzance, and Plymouth is an important station along the way. Railway is arguably Plymouthâ~@~Ys most important transport means and acts as a vital connection to the rest of the country. Plymouth City Airport offers flights only nationally, although ferriesrun regularly from Millbay to France and Spain (courtesy of Brittany Ferries).
Plymouth Property Market
The average cost of all residential property in Plymouth is ã163,174, with detached housing averaging ã273,267 and flats averaging ã127,238. The average price of a semi-detached house is ã174,481, whilst a terraced houill set buyers back around ã156,227 (figures from January to March 2008 [4] . The majority of housing stock in Plymouth city centre (PL1) is flats, which is probably to be expected being close to the University of Plymouth. The post codes of PL2 and PL3, also close to the University, offer mainly terraced housing, so would probably also suit students and couples without children or single residents. Semi-detached housing is primarily found in the post code districts of PL5, to the north of the city and near the suburb of Whitleigh, and PL7, north east of the city and near the Elfordleigh Hotel Golf and Country Club, amongst others, whilst detached housing is predominant in Yealmpton (PL8, in the south east of the city) and Torpoint (PL11, near the suburb of Sheviock, which is accessible via the A374 dual-carriageway) [5].