Relocating to Yorkshire
Discussion
Hi all,
Just looking for some advice/insight into potentially relocating my family to Yorkshire from Scotland.
My wife is keen on moving after we had a break in Nidderdale (Pateley Bridge). Realistically she accepts that we can't move there specifically because it is likely that one of us will need to work in Leeds and the other possibly in Harrogate but maybe also Leeds (we are both lawyers).
We have two young kids, with one starting school next year. Therefore if we are going to move we ideally need to do so quite soon so we can get settled.
If we were going to move we would want to live somewhere relatively rural but still within an acceptable commuting distance to Leeds. We like Harrogate and York too but preference is rural.
The top end of our budget for a house is probably £550k.
We don't know anything about schools, catchment areas, where are the nice places, where are the places to avoid etc.
Grateful for any advice.
Just looking for some advice/insight into potentially relocating my family to Yorkshire from Scotland.
My wife is keen on moving after we had a break in Nidderdale (Pateley Bridge). Realistically she accepts that we can't move there specifically because it is likely that one of us will need to work in Leeds and the other possibly in Harrogate but maybe also Leeds (we are both lawyers).
We have two young kids, with one starting school next year. Therefore if we are going to move we ideally need to do so quite soon so we can get settled.
If we were going to move we would want to live somewhere relatively rural but still within an acceptable commuting distance to Leeds. We like Harrogate and York too but preference is rural.
The top end of our budget for a house is probably £550k.
We don't know anything about schools, catchment areas, where are the nice places, where are the places to avoid etc.
Grateful for any advice.
Very roughly - this bit between Leeds/York/Harrogate (you can see where I am at the bottom) is generally quite nice, semi-rural/villages plus a few smaller towns (Wetherby, Boston Spa etc). As you go toward the bottom corner, near North Leeds you are more into 'suburbs' where theres plenty of nicer (and areas but also closer proximity to less nice areas and wont be as rural as you want.
Intersected by the A1 and A64 and quick onto M1/M62 for road links.
Lack of rail in some areas is an issue but not everywhere, I can get to York, Leeds, Doncaster etc all very easily. Wetherby doesnt have rail though.
Intersected by the A1 and A64 and quick onto M1/M62 for road links.
Lack of rail in some areas is an issue but not everywhere, I can get to York, Leeds, Doncaster etc all very easily. Wetherby doesnt have rail though.
Edited by snotrag on Friday 22 July 14:46
Thanks all.
I think the preference will be for train commuting, or at least having that as an option. Wouldn't have to live where the station is but a short drive would be OK.
@snotrag thanks for that, very useful. One of the determining issues will be the schools so I'll have a look at what's available in that area.
Any comments on the west/southwest side of Harrogate? Otley?
I think the preference will be for train commuting, or at least having that as an option. Wouldn't have to live where the station is but a short drive would be OK.
@snotrag thanks for that, very useful. One of the determining issues will be the schools so I'll have a look at what's available in that area.
Any comments on the west/southwest side of Harrogate? Otley?
Otley is a nice area, and relatively close to Leeds by road, but the drive in isn’t great.
Skipton might be worth a look. Great place to live, The Dales on your doorstep and a regular 40 minute train journey into Leeds. Driving in from Skipton is a nightmare though.
I’m looking at going in the other direction, currently looking at property in Moray.
Skipton might be worth a look. Great place to live, The Dales on your doorstep and a regular 40 minute train journey into Leeds. Driving in from Skipton is a nightmare though.
I’m looking at going in the other direction, currently looking at property in Moray.
snotrag said:
Very roughly - this bit between Leeds/York/Harrogate (you can see where I am at the bottom) is generally quite nice, semi-rural/villages plus a few smaller towns (Wetherby, Boston Spa etc). As you go toward the bottom corner, near North Leeds you are more into 'suburbs' where theres plenty of nicer (and areas but also closer proximity to less nice areas and wont be as rural as you want.
Intersected by the A1 and A64 and quick onto M1/M62 for road links.
Lack of rail in some areas is an issue but not everywhere, I can get to York, Leeds, Doncaster etc all very easily. Wetherby doesnt have rail though.
^ This. Wetherby and Boston Spa are lovely. Nearer to Leeds is Shadwell which is a nice semi-rural village on the edge of the city.Intersected by the A1 and A64 and quick onto M1/M62 for road links.
Lack of rail in some areas is an issue but not everywhere, I can get to York, Leeds, Doncaster etc all very easily. Wetherby doesnt have rail though.
Edited by snotrag on Friday 22 July 14:46
North Leeds in general is the posh side of the city.
We're in the Roundhay area of Leeds close to the park, the ring road and good local amenities. Cross the ring road and you're straight into farmland - lovely walks and we can hear sheep from our bedroom. House prices are steep though (£550 is a 4 bed semi) and go to best-and-final immediately so you need to have cash in hand and offer £30k over asking.
Commuting by car to Leeds centre is rubbish though.
Yorkmover said:
Thanks all.
I think the preference will be for train commuting, or at least having that as an option. Wouldn't have to live where the station is but a short drive would be OK.
@snotrag thanks for that, very useful. One of the determining issues will be the schools so I'll have a look at what's available in that area.
Any comments on the west/southwest side of Harrogate? Otley?
North and North West Leeds have better rail links whereas North East Leeds has none. I think the preference will be for train commuting, or at least having that as an option. Wouldn't have to live where the station is but a short drive would be OK.
@snotrag thanks for that, very useful. One of the determining issues will be the schools so I'll have a look at what's available in that area.
Any comments on the west/southwest side of Harrogate? Otley?
Otley: there is no longer a railway station. The A660 bypass is built on the former railway line though. You're going to need to get to places like Menston or Guiseley by road if you still want a train, otherwise it's a commute into town by car or bus (X84 being a limited stop service).
For schools, in Otley itself there are a load of comprehensive primary schools but the main high school is Prince Henrys Grammar heading out of Otley. A lot of congestion around there. Other schools are nearby in Menston, Guiseley, Rawdon and Yeadon. That corner of Leeds has plenty of amenities and property prices are a bit more affordable. Getting into or out of Leeds City Centre will be horrid at peak times and there at lots of speed and average speed cameras.
If you're after somewhere rural then don't rule out the Leeds suburbs close to the Ring Road. You're within very easy and quick reach of the Yorkshire Dales and these suburbs have plenty of places to shop, eat and drink without being too far out. However, North West (Horsforth, Adel etc) is more congested at peak times compared with North East (Roundhay etc).
Public transport in Leeds and West Yorkshire is not great either so bear that in mind.
Also if you get a house in Roundhay then, as one of the most (if not the most) sought after parts of Leeds there'll always be someone interested in buying your house and it will certainly increase in value.
I live in Barwick in Elmet. Lovely rural village but with a post office and 3 pubs. Easy access to Leeds, M1, A1, A64 and a short drive to crossgates for a train station. Quite an historic village with a great community spirit and football fields plus village cricket pitch. Also has a village junior school.
Happy to answer any questions if you want to know more.
Happy to answer any questions if you want to know more.
Piston-slapper said:
Burley in Wharfedale. Job done!
Seconded! Although I may be somewhat biased.Quite a few lawyers in the village, many relocated for the same reasons the OP mentions. Leeds on the train is 20 minutes (so a 30 minute door-to-door commute for me), my wife drives to Harrogate in 30 minutes.
Piston-slapper said:
Burley in Wharfedale. Job done!
This, or Menston. The most affordable bits on the Wharfedale line. Ilkley has more to it but has a heavy house premium.Good schools (primary and non-selective Grammar).
Loads of lawyers choose this area and commute into Leeds. The train line is fairly reliable and has all new stock.
Driving into leeds is not a good experience.
I'd look to see what jobs are available in Harrogate/York, although quite a lot of people also commute up to Teesside from the Harrogate/York area.
You've got the NE main line York/Northallerton/Darlington and again lots commute to London/Newcastle/etc using that.
TBH there are nice rural areas across the band Skipton/Masham/Harrogate/Leyburn/Northallerton/York/Malton. You've got the Dales to the west and NY moors to the east.
Parts of the Wolds are also nice - and much cheaper property.
If working in Leeds then look at the train or the 36 bus which is apparently good from Ripon - Leeds.
I'd look to see what jobs are available in Harrogate/York, although quite a lot of people also commute up to Teesside from the Harrogate/York area.
You've got the NE main line York/Northallerton/Darlington and again lots commute to London/Newcastle/etc using that.
TBH there are nice rural areas across the band Skipton/Masham/Harrogate/Leyburn/Northallerton/York/Malton. You've got the Dales to the west and NY moors to the east.
Parts of the Wolds are also nice - and much cheaper property.
If working in Leeds then look at the train or the 36 bus which is apparently good from Ripon - Leeds.
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