Warwickshire Investment Partnership - Quality of Life
Housing
The average house price in Warwickshire is £168,049 (BBC, 2009), however, there is a lot of variation across the county. The average house price in Stratford-on-Avon District is £245,603, with the average in Nuneaton and Bedworth being £129,325.Warwickshire is proposing to build 41,000 new dwellings by 2026 to keep pace on demand, with particular focus on affordable housing for those on lower incomes.
Education
Warwickshire has a well-regarded, skilled and educated workforce with over 50% achieving NVQ Level 3 and above. This is well above the national average and is one of the highest rates in the whole of the West Midlands. 103,800 people in Warwickshire are educated to at least degree level or above.
Students at the Universities of Coventry and Warwick (2007/08) collectively account for over 29% (48,810) of the West Midlands overall student population. With the University of Warwick the second most popular Under Graduate and Post-Graduate university in the region.
Culture
Warwickshire is at the heart of the country, with some of the most attractive towns and villages in England set amongst beautiful countryside. Wherever you are in the county there is always a sense that you can access everything you need. The county has much to offer culturally. Theatres and performance venues include the Royal Shakespeare Company, Bedworth Civic Hall and The Royal Leamington Spa Centre. Warwickshire\'s food and drink heritage is celebrated across the county, with the annual Food and Drink awards held to celebrate the local catering and produce offer. Local farmers markets can also be found in many of the towns. Shopping in Warwickshire couldn\'t be easier, with Leamington Spa\'s offer of High street brands and boutique shops, Nuneaton and Bedworth\'s award winning markets and the impressive Wellesbourne field market. The Belfry, North Warwickshire offers golfers the chance to pitch their wits against a challenging PGA course.
Recreational Activities
Warwickshire offers many activities to not only the tourist but its residents too. North Warwickshire offers quaint market towns like Atherstone, Polesworth and Coleshill, set amongst rolling countryside. Nuneaton and Bedworth are bustling market towns, with plenty to keep the family entertained at the Bedworth Civic Hall. Rugby, the birthplace of Rugby Football, offers shopping, dining and history aplenty. Warwick, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa offer a great mix of Medieval Castles to visit, spa town shopping and great eateries. Stratford-upon-Avon`s attractions include Shakespeare`s birthplace, Anne Hathaway`s Cottage and Bancroft Gardens. In the far south of the county, Cotswold country starts.
