Preston area guides
For an easy way to find information about some key local areas in Preston start by searching our Preston area guide. Alphabetically ordered by area name you'll find all you want to know about Preston - from local area highlights, the latest property to buy or rent, leading local Estate Agencies and lists of local area resources.
Situated on the banks of the River Ribble in the county of Lancashire, Preston is a cosmopolitan city with a bustling atmosphere and proud history. Home to a population of 129,000 [1] , Preston is Englandâ~@~Ys newest city after being granted city status in 2002 [2] . Its city status has seen the property market become even more prosperous. Traditionally a manufacturing city, Preston also benefits economically from the Military Aircraft headquarters of BAE Systems, which is located nearby in Warton. Unemployment is quite high at 6.1 per cent [3] .
Preston experiences a typical UK climate with an average annual rainfall of 781.3 millimetres. October and March are the wettest and driest months, while August and January are the hottest and coldest months. Summer highs average at 19ðC and summer lows average at 13ðC. Winter highs average at 7ðC and winter lows average at 4ðC [4] .
Located on the West Coast main rail line, Preston is a major stop in the county of Lancashire. Frequent train services to locations such as Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester are available, as well as long distance services to London. An extensive bus network dominates public transport travel within the city. Blackpool International Airport is located 20 miles west of the city centre.
Preston Property Market
Since becoming an official city in 2002, Preston property has been increasing in price; however, the cost still remains lower than the UK national average. Semi-detached houses make up the majority of Prestonâ~@~Ys housing stck at approximately 40 per cent, while flats are the least abundant at about 13 per cent [5] .
The majority of properties in Preston are owner occupied (69.4 per cent) [6] , but the city still has a healthy rental market (30.6 per cent [7] ) partially due to the large student population. Lancashireâ~@~Ys 34,863 [8] students ensure that there is plenty of student and share accommodation available within the city. The number of university students renting properties also makes Preston an attractive location for investors.
Prestonâ~@~Ys ongoing regeneration plans mean that new city centre flats and dockside luxury apartments are constantly becoming available. These brand new properties and the existing Victorian terraced houses provide the citywith a unique modern-meets-classic blend.