North West · England
Living in Preston
A well-connected Lancashire city, gateway to the Forest of Bowland and the Lake District beyond.
Population around 150,000
What Preston is like
Preston offers affordable housing and a central Lancashire location, popular with commuters and families, with easy access to countryside and the coast.
Education
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a large modern university.
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Getting around
A key rail hub with direct trains to London, Manchester and Scotland, and motorway links in every direction.
Jobs & economy
Aerospace (BAE Systems nearby), public services, education and retail.
The property market
The average home in Preston sold for £190,442 (April 2026, UK House Price Index). That is an area average across all property types, a useful benchmark rather than a valuation of any single home.
In a nutshell
- Affordable Lancashire living
- Excellent rail and motorway links
- Countryside and coast nearby
- Large university