5 Reasons Peterborough is One of the Best Cities to Live in Right Now

Looking for a city that offers great value, excellent connections, and a growing community – all without the higher price tag? You’ll find it in Peterborough. This fast-growing Cambridgeshire city combines affordability with opportunity, offering thriving job prospects, excellent schools, and a lively cultural scene. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family, or simply ready for a change of pace, here are five brilliant reasons Peterborough could be your perfect place to call home.

More affordable living

With the cost of living still on the rise in the UK, one of the biggest considerations when moving home is affordability. This is where Peterborough stands out. From housing and rent to everyday expenses, the city offers far better value than many southern hotspots, especially London, where according to Numbeo, living costs are a hefty 33% higher.

The city also fares well compared to the rest of the country with the cost of living in Peterborough slightly lower than the UK average. Eating out, for example, is easier on the wallet, with a three-course restaurant meal for two costing around £60 compared with £65 in the rest of the UK and £80 in London.

Household bills are also noticeably lower, averaging £153 per month compared to a UK average of £258, a considerable saving when it comes to family budgeting and leaving you with more spare cash to do the things you love.

When it comes to property prices in Peterborough, the average house price of £229,000 is well below the national average of £270,000, making buying a home in the city more attainable than other locations.

Peterborough also has a good mix of housing types from detached and semi-detached homes to terraced and maisonette properties giving prospective buyers lots to choose from, and to ensure housing quality and supply needs are met, the council has introduced the Peterborough Housing Strategy to support sustainable growth.

All in all, Peterborough offers excellent value without compromising on choice, leaving you with more breathing room in your budget for family trips, eating out or saving for a rainy day. Win-win!

If you’re wondering is Peterborough a good place to live, the city’s affordability and quality of life certainly make a strong case for it being one of the most accessible and good places to live in Cambridgeshire.

Strong commuter links

If your work or social life involves travelling, getting around Peterborough couldn’t be easier with frequent rail services linking north and south easily and direct trains to London taking only 48 minutes.

In 2024, the city was named ‘London’s cheapest commuter town’ by magazine Time Out, a pretty impressive accolade! The magazine praised the city for its fast links, affordable house prices, green spaces, and cultural attractions.

Peterborough also offers plenty of other perks for commuters such as access to more green space, less congestion, and family-friendly activities away from the hustle and bustle.

But it’s not just commuters who benefit. When it comes to getting around, Peterborough makes travel a breeze with regular rail and bus services, lots of cycling and walking-to-work routes, and convenient park and ride options.

It’s one of the reasons why in 2024 it was recognised as the best city for SME jobs by business lender iwoca, making it easy to see why more and more people are choosing to call Peterborough home and why it’s considered such a good place to live for professionals and families alike.

Green space and outdoor adventure

Peterborough is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. It offers an abundance of outdoor spaces, from nature reserves, woodlands and footpaths providing endless spots for hiking, family adventures or quiet moments surrounded by nature.

At the heart of it all is Nene Park, the city’s largest green space. Made up of six unique areas with the River Nene running through, it’s a favourite spot for walking, cycling, picnics and picturesque views. Cycling fans are also spoiled for choice, with the Green Wheel Network offering 60 miles of scenic routes to explore the city in a fun, sustainable way.

If you like outdoor adventure and things to do with the kids, then there are plenty of attractions to keep everyone busy. Fenland Aqua Park on the scenic waters of Gildenburgh Lake in Whittlesey is a floating obstacle course with 27 features to challenge and test your stamina across swings, trampolines, and balance beams.

If you prefer your activities to take place on dry land, then Scarewell Farm with its beautiful surroundings, farm animals and play areas is a great day out. For outdoor art-lovers, there’s also the Peterborough Sculpture Trail, which showcases inspiring works by artists including Jane Ackroyd, Miles Davis and Antony Gormley.

These natural spaces are a major part of the benefits of living in Peterborough, giving residents the best of city life and countryside calm in one location.

Building a sustainable future for everyone

Peterborough is investing in clean energy and greener homes as part of its plan to reach net zero by 2030. This goal is shaping every part of the city’s growth, from the way people travel and heat their homes, to how businesses operate and how green spaces are cared for.

Council-owned and community buildings are being upgraded to be more energy-efficient, and the city is exploring new energy systems through the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP). The council is also working closely with businesses, communities and local organisations to achieve its climate goals.

The Peterborough Accelerated Net Zero (PANZ) project is helping drive the transition to a low-carbon economy, and The Peterborough Integrated Renewables Infrastructure (PIRI) project delivers heat and electricity to local businesses, making energy use more sustainable and efficient.

It’s just one of the many benefits of living in Peterborough, where sustainability meets community spirit and modern city living.

A City Growing in Culture, Community and Opportunity

Peterborough is a city that has strong community life and regeneration. Whether you’re looking for a lively nightlife, education opportunities or strong community support, there’s plenty happening.

For a great night out, Peterborough has a fantastic mix of live music venues, cosy pubs, and lively bars to suit every taste. Theatre-lovers are also spoilt for choice with a varied selection of plays, comedy, concerts, and touring shows taking place across the city’s venues.

A new £32 million university campus which incorporates a living lab to be used by the community as well as students was completed in 2024. The award-winning building, The Lab, is more than just a teaching facility – it provides a cultural and social hub with exhibitions, evening classes and events.

Urban regeneration around stations, public spaces and mixed-use areas is breathing new life into the city. The Station Quarter is set for a multi-million-pound transformation, featuring a striking new station entrance, an upgraded footbridge, vibrant public spaces, and safer, smoother routes for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

If you’ve been asking yourself is Peterborough a good place to live, the answer becomes clear as you see its growth, culture, and sense of community flourish. The city continues to evolve, showing why it’s a great place to live in the East of England with strong property prices in Peterborough reflecting its rising appeal.

We could have the perfect property to make your dream a reality. Discover our range of contemporary and energy efficient new build homes in Peterborough.

Allison Homes Web Article: 12th December 2025