A Place to Call Home

For many people, the place where they live is more than simply a building. A home can be connected to family, memories, friends and the local community. The neighbourhood around a home can also influence how people spend their free time and how comfortable they feel in everyday life.

A
Daniel is a 17-year-old student who lives in York, a historic city in northern England. He has lived there all his life, although his family has moved house twice. His grandparents also live nearby, so Daniel has always felt that York is closely connected to his family.

When people ask him about his hometown, Daniel usually talks about the city centre first. York is well known for its historic buildings, narrow streets and old city walls. However, Daniel’s favourite part of the city is not the busy centre. He prefers the quieter residential area where his family lives.

There are several small parks, shops and cafés within walking distance of his home. Daniel often meets his friends at one of the parks after school.

B
Daniel currently lives in a three-bedroom terraced house with his parents and younger sister. The house is not particularly large, but the family has become used to making good use of the available space.

Daniel’s bedroom is on the first floor. It contains a bed, a desk, a bookcase and a small wardrobe. His desk is next to the window, which gives him plenty of natural light when he studies.

The family shares a kitchen and living room downstairs. The kitchen is probably the busiest room in the house because the family often eats and talks there together. Daniel says that although he sometimes wishes he had a larger bedroom, he likes the fact that everyone has a place to spend time together.

C
As Daniel gets older, he is beginning to think about what his accommodation might be like when he eventually moves away from home. In England, people live in different types of accommodation. Some own their homes, while others rent them from private landlords or housing organisations.

The cost of renting can vary considerably between different areas. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average monthly private rent in England was £1,423 in January 2026, an increase of 3.5% compared with a year earlier. These figures are national averages, so the amount paid by an individual household can be very different.

For young people who want to live independently, accommodation costs can therefore be an important consideration. Some choose to share a house or flat with other people because sharing can reduce the amount each person has to pay.

D
Daniel has not yet decided whether he will continue living in York when he becomes an adult. He is considering going to university in another city.

At the moment, he likes the idea of experiencing a different place. He thinks living away from home could help him become more independent and meet people from different backgrounds.

However, Daniel knows that leaving his hometown would mean giving up some of the things he currently enjoys. He would miss his family, his friends and the familiar streets around his home.

His parents have told him that moving away does not mean losing his connection with his hometown. He could return during holidays or visit his family at weekends.

E
For Daniel, a good place to live is not necessarily the biggest or most modern home. He thinks the area around a home is just as important as the building itself.

A nearby park, convenient shops, public transport and friendly neighbours can make everyday life easier. This idea is also reflected in government research. The English Housing Survey found that 87% of households were satisfied with the area around their accommodation in 2024–25.

Daniel believes that his idea of home may change as he gets older. He may eventually live in a university residence, share a flat or rent a house. Even so, he expects York to remain an important part of his identity.

For him, a hometown is not simply the place written on an address. It is the place where many of his memories began.