Is Scarborough a Good Place to Live?

Scarborough is a fantastic place to live, with its beautiful beaches, historic Scarborough Castle, and vibrant old town. The town offers excellent transport links to major cities, a variety of shopping options, and an array of dining experiences from independent cafes to traditional pubs. Residents enjoy access to essential services like GP surgeries, a local hospital, and leisure centres, all within a charming coastal setting in North Yorkshire.

Ideal for Young Families and Commuters

Despite being coastal, Scarborough has excellent transport links. The train station runs services to York, which take 45 minutes, and there are nationwide services from there too. The A64 connects Scarborough to York and Leeds, the A171 takes you through to Middlesbrough and the A170 to Thirsk.

Scarborough has excellent schools for children of all ages. There’s a range of choices from nurseries to secondary schools and colleges, including independent schools and special schools. Springhead School teaches children from 2-19, and it’s been rated outstanding by Ofsted, Scarborough College is an independent school for children aged 3-18, with day and boarding options.

Scarborough has a good range of shops. Brunswick Shopping Centre has plenty of high street names, including Next, New Look and Trespass. There are many independent retailers, too, most of which are in the underground Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults.

Something for Everyone

There are plenty of tea rooms and coffee shops within the town centre. Try Daisy Tea Rooms for afternoon tea or Yay Coffee! for some great coffee and cake. There are a few traditional pubs for a sip of something stronger, including Scarborough Arms, Hole in the Wall, and Golden Ball. Being by the sea means that there are plenty of excellent choices for fresh fish and chips!

What’s it like living in Scarborough?

Scarborough has excellent healthcare with plenty of GPs and Scarborough General Hospital. There’s also Scarborough Library & Information Centre, two leisure centres, and several Post Offices for other essentials. Peasholme Park is a beautiful place to go for a walk as it has lovely gardens that surround the lake, where you can hire boats and pedalos.

The main fishing harbour is a short walk from the lively South Bay beach, which is alongside the Spa Complex, and provides endless entertainment all year round. North Bay Beach has a Blue Flag status, and this long sandy beach is popular with families, surfers and swimmers. It’s backed by the colourful beach huts you can hire for the day.

With a mass of art and culture, including the flourishing family music festival Staxtonbury and Scarborough’s international German food market, this exciting coastal town has something for everyone to enjoy. There are a variety of theatres, such as the historic Stephan Joseph Theatre and the Open Air Theatre, so the town is often awash with both local and international talent.

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