Fancy living the high life in York city centre? Brian Page takes a look at some smart rental properties ideal for city slickers.

OUR report in the last lettings editorial focused on rental properties for those who have sold their house and have yet to find a new full time home.

One of our drinking buddies was so impressed with the properties on offer that he set off a late night discussion…

Why not just sell your house, bank the money and move into rental property and live the high life.

“No more worries about repairs, maintenance or anything like that – sounds like a lot less stress to me,” was his debate-winning point.

Given the interest, then, we thought we would return to rental properties in a spot to make the most of the high life… in an around York city centre.

Starting with an outstanding three-storey town house in St Gregorys Mews, a private, gated contemporary development in Tanner Row. Quite apart from the fact that the city’s attractions are right on your doorstep – and the rail station is just five minutes walk away – this is a really nice home in its own right.

On the ground floor there is a hallway and storage space and a cloakroom. Trip up the stairs to the first floor there is a large lounge with a laminate wood floor and double doors to a balcony. There is also a smart fitted kitchen with a range of units and integrated appliances including oven and hob, washer, dishwasher, fridge and freezer. The two bedrooms are on the second floor served by a house bathroom. Excellent city centre home – especially as there is a garage - offered by Stephensons at a very reasonable rental of £725pcm.

An equally well placed apartment can be found on the books of Hudson Moody. It is a super first floor flat in Monkgate Cloisters.

It offers a hallway leading to an open plan living area, then flowing into a kitchen area with a range of modern fitted base units and an island unit with breakfast bar, an electic oven and hob, integral microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher and washing machine. There are two good bedrooms and a modern bathroom. Allocated parking is included in the rental of £795pcm. Apply to Hudson Moody.

Next, it’s a look at a pair of properties in Piccadilly Plaza, again beautifully placed to make the most of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in the city centre.

The first is a second floor apartment in Strand House, a much sought-after development for obvious reasons…

The property is unfurnished and has an entrance hall with laminate flooring, leading to another hallway off which there is an open plan lounge/kitchen/diner which includes an integrated fridge freezer, electic oven and hob, dishwasher and washer/dryer. There are smart two double bedrooms and a bathroom. Communal gardens, secure underground parking and bike store are included in the rental of £695pcm. Apply to Ashtons on this one.

Strolling across the way, we come to Trafalgar House to run the rule over a second floor apartment offered by Linley and Simpson. This is another smart and stylish home. It has a lunge, fitted kitchen with a range of appliances, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Again, secure underground parking is included in the rental which has been set at £750pcm.

And finally – and we hope you are still paying attention at the back of the class – we come to Masters House, in The Avenue, Bootham. This is a quite superb second floor apartment in a very ‘des res’ spot within easy walking distance of the city centre and with a lot to offer including a large open plan lounge and dining kitchen.

The kitchen has a good range of fully integrated appliances including ceramic hob and double oven, fridge/freezer and washer/dryer and dishwasher. The master bedroom has fitted wardrobes and a modern en-suite bathroom. There is a further double bedroom, also with fitted wardrobes and a family bathroom. Communal gardens and an allocated parking space comes in the rental of £995pcm. If you fancy this one then get in touch with Linley and Simpson.