Chester is a historic city in the North West, famous for its Roman walls, beautiful architecture, riverside walks, and lively mix of eateries, shops, and open green spaces. If that wasn’t enough, it also has strong transport links, highly regarded schools, and plenty of places for a quieter pace of life while being within easy reach of the centre.
However, with so much choice, deciding on the best places to live in Chester can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve narrowed down some of the top areas to explore.
1. Hoole
Hoole, one of the most sought-after suburbs, is an option you’d be remiss not to consider. In 2025, this charming village was recognised as being one of the coolest places to live and was ranked by The Times as one of the top 11 hippest postcodes in the nation.
Likened to the iconic Notting Hill because of its vast selection of boutiques, bars, and bistros, Hoole offers lots to do and explore for residents and visitors alike. The Faulkner, for example, is a must-visit gastro pub renowned for its delicious food, and Chester Millennium Greenway is the perfect setting for an afternoon stroll. It’s also just a 10-minute walk from Chester Train Station and has links to the M53, making it a perfect choice for commuters.
Families with children also benefit from some top-rated primary and secondary schools, including St Martin’s Academy and The King’s School, an independent school for ages 4-19.
2. Upton-by-Chester
Upton is often considered to be one of the best places to live in Chester for families thanks to its wide-open landscape, local amenities, and selection of family-focused attractions and things to do. Chester Zoo is Upton-based, making for a great day out, and the sports club is open to all for team events like American football, hockey, and cricket. The town is also known for its impressive and well-regarded 18-hole golf club.
The area covers Liverpool Road, the A41, Upton Lane, and Mill Land, making it a breeze to get in and out of the city for those commuting. Upton High is nationally recognised, and Acresfield Academy is a strong primary school option.
3. Boughton
Boughton is one of the closest suburbs to the centre of Chester, located just one mile away. Home to The Groves, a beautiful riverside area with cafes, pubs, and boat trips, this town blends peaceful walks and blissful quiet living with easy access to everything the city has to enjoy.
The Boughton Water Tower is a well-known landmark to the community and is a welcome part of the area’s skyline, and Caldy Nature Park, a twelve-hectare woodland, meadow, and orchard, is a picturesque place for a picnic.
4. Handbridge
If you like the idea of living somewhere with history woven into everyday life, Handbridge could be a strong choice.
The Goddess Minerva’s Shrine, a Grade II listed structure thought to be constructed in the early 2nd century, is situated in a former Roman quarry along the bank of River Dee and is well worth a visit. Queens Park Suspension Bridge is also a historical landmark, opened in 1923, which connects Handbridge to The Groves.
Handbridge also provides several delis, pubs, and delicious eateries, and an abundance of open green space.
5. Curzon Park
Curzon Park is another of the best areas in Chester to set up home; and is also one of the most desirable. This suburb backs on to the famous Chester Racecourse which hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year. It’s also home to Chester Rowing Club, which offers the chance to try your hand at water sports and paddle boarding.
Scattered with several Grade II listed buildings and Grade I listed Grosvenor Bridge, a popular spot to admire the view of the city, there’s no shortage of historical beauty. For locals, there’s an award-winning butcher, a florist, and a specialist cheesemonger, along with a good choice of pubs and bars for an evening out.
Curzon Park also has two top independent schools for children in the area: The King’s School and The Queen’s School.
Our development, Deva Green, is just a 10-minute drive from Curzon Park and has a variety of three and four-bedroom detached homes available. Get in touch if you’d like to book a viewing.
6. Huntington
Huntington is known for its sense of camaraderie and family-friendly lifestyle. This quaint village sits just three miles from Chester and is well within reach of the A55 and M53; ideal for commuters and frequent travellers alike.
It has plenty of local shops offering all the amenities you could need, as well as a post office and a church. Huntington also borders onto the above-mentioned Caldy Nature Park, a great spot for a long walk in the sun.
7. Christleton
We haven’t done our job of helping you imagine life in Chester if we don’t mention the last place on our list: Christleton.
Named in 2022 and 2024 in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live in the UK, this beautiful village is great place to call home. Not only does it have a large pond and play area for days spent feeding ducks and socialising, but it also boasts three well-renowned pubs, a coffee house, and an abundance of shops. Crocky Trail, a play park with giant slides, bouncy castles, basketball hoops, and more, is also just a mile up the road.
With two excellent state schools and Chester’s centre just three miles away, Christleton is an ideal location for growing families.
And it’s not just the city itself that is great to live in, as the surrounding town and villages are ideal places to settle in.
For example, just across the Welsh border, places like Deeside, where we have our Summer’s Bridge development, are less than 20 minutes away by car from Chester. By settling down there, you’ll have access to the best of Flintshire, Merseyside and Wales, enjoying a quieter life while remaining close to Chester’s amenities.
We also have our Dol Derwen development in Mold, which is a 30-minute drive from the city, placing it well within commuting distance. Its convenient location means you’ll have the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Park on your doorstep, and the likes of Rhyl and Prestatyn beaches within easy reach.
If you’re thinking of moving to Chester and would like to learn about purchasing an Anwyl Home, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to support you in any way we can.
Homebuyer advice
See more
Share
