Where to live in/near Leeds?
Discussion
hobo said:
As ChimGirl said, I'd also advise to think about renting in the actual city centre to start with.
Prices have come down hugely since the first developments.
Unfortunately so have the square footages. If you've got a reasonable amount of stuff you may struggle in some of the 1 beds (around 450 sq ft) with decent 2 beds starting around the 700 quid a month mark. Parking can also be an expensive pain. Hunters are pretty good for city center stuff.
I was chatting to a mate today who is from the north east (quite difficult at first) about living in leeds.
He rekons that every nice area is very close to really bad area. me and steph are looking to move to Barwick - in elmet. Which is pretty close to Seacroft. Dont get me wrong im no post code snob but if you paying for the luxuary of a semi rural location you dont want the rif raf popping in every 5 mins causing trouble
Is it true that every good area has a bad area within close proximity?
He rekons that every nice area is very close to really bad area. me and steph are looking to move to Barwick - in elmet. Which is pretty close to Seacroft. Dont get me wrong im no post code snob but if you paying for the luxuary of a semi rural location you dont want the rif raf popping in every 5 mins causing trouble
Is it true that every good area has a bad area within close proximity?
Welcome to Leeds. I live in Rodley and in my opinion it's a great position to be in. First, you can cycle along the canal tow path right into the centre of town. To drive, Kirkstall road can be a bit of a nightmare, but it's ok really. Third, drive a mile up the road towards Pudsey, park free at the station and take the train for only a few quid return.
I live on an estate next to the canal - Although in a house, I know there are a few apartments for rent in the same development and there is a new set of flats which all seem to be going for rental just on the other side of Rodley roundabout (conveniently next to a great Greek restaraunt).
The area's undergoing a facelift and my sources say that a shopping/restaraunt/cafe zone is to be constructed in the near future which should increase prices then.
However, I am biased! Generally speaking, as others have suggested, North/Northwest Leeds around the ringroad area is good.
Happy hunting!
Dr T
I live on an estate next to the canal - Although in a house, I know there are a few apartments for rent in the same development and there is a new set of flats which all seem to be going for rental just on the other side of Rodley roundabout (conveniently next to a great Greek restaraunt).
The area's undergoing a facelift and my sources say that a shopping/restaraunt/cafe zone is to be constructed in the near future which should increase prices then.
However, I am biased! Generally speaking, as others have suggested, North/Northwest Leeds around the ringroad area is good.
Happy hunting!
Dr T
Poor man's Aberford?
The whole inter-village rivalry makes me laugh
I went to the Barwick maypole day - and the fox got stolen by some people in Aberford (btw they say your all inbred)
Cousin in law says they are still having the annual fox hunt on boxing day - they haven't caught one in 4 years so they cant get prosecuted
gr4eme said:
I was chatting to a mate today who is from the north east (quite difficult at first) about living in leeds.
He rekons that every nice area is very close to really bad area. me and steph are looking to move to Barwick - in elmet. Which is pretty close to Seacroft. Dont get me wrong im no post code snob but if you paying for the luxuary of a semi rural location you dont want the rif raf popping in every 5 mins causing trouble
Is it true that every good area has a bad area within close proximity?
I'm in Scholes just down the road and a bit closer to Seacroft. We do see the odd Chav coming up the A64 but it is a smaller and nicer spot than Barwick. My Two children have a lot more freedom here than where we were in Moortown and the Countryside is all around.
( sorry might be cross threading)
[quote] telecat said
I'm in Scholes just down the road and a bit closer to Seacroft. We do see the odd Chav coming up the A64 but it is a smaller and nicer spot than Barwick. My Two children have a lot more freedom here than where we were in Moortown and the Countryside is all around.[/quote]
Will be moving in with in-laws in scholes while a house fingers crossed will be built in Barwick - i like scholes and yes with the countryside all around is lovely.
Plus the buffers has new management so no scum
>> Edited by gr4eme on Thursday 15th September 15:35
>> Edited by gr4eme on Thursday 15th September 15:35
[quote] telecat said
I'm in Scholes just down the road and a bit closer to Seacroft. We do see the odd Chav coming up the A64 but it is a smaller and nicer spot than Barwick. My Two children have a lot more freedom here than where we were in Moortown and the Countryside is all around.[/quote]
Will be moving in with in-laws in scholes while a house fingers crossed will be built in Barwick - i like scholes and yes with the countryside all around is lovely.
Plus the buffers has new management so no scum
>> Edited by gr4eme on Thursday 15th September 15:35
>> Edited by gr4eme on Thursday 15th September 15:35
gr4eme said:
Is it true that every good area has a bad area within close proximity?
I would probably agree that it is fairly close to the truth, ex, Chapel Allerton is great but right next to Chapeltown.
I'm on the border of LS17 and LS8. I'm physically on LS17 but the barstewards at the post office allocated us an LS8 postcode when the place was built because it's easier for their delivery people. The school next door is LS17
Who cares you probably say, my insurance company does, it's bleedin well doubled just because of the little numbers. TBH though the same could probably be said about most large towns or cities.
basil brush said:
me and steph are looking to move to Barwick - in elmet. Which is pretty close to Seacroft.
Poor man's Aberford?
lol Aberford is a poor mans Barwick! I work in Barwick its one of the nicest places within a mile or two of the centre. Aberford is full of chavs from that council estate at the top end
I work all around leeds and to be honest there isnt anywhere I'd live in the city area. Places like Roundhay are nice on the surface but they are riddled with crime (I work in security) and you cant even walk around safely at night
Your far better off living outside leeds alltogether and commuting in I rekon. I live in a village on the outskirts of Wakefield. I can be in leeds centre in 12 minutes by car bit more rush hour) Up and down the A! corridor you have the best places/cheapest houseprices places like Sherburn, South Milford etc not a million miles away from leeds but rural at the same time
gr4eme said:
Poor man's Aberford?
The whole inter-village rivalry makes me laugh
I went to the Barwick maypole day - and the fox got stolen by some people in Aberford (btw they say your all inbred)
Cousin in law says they are still having the annual fox hunt on boxing day - they haven't caught one in 4 years so they cant get prosecuted
Hey, nothing to do with me. I'm from Garforth originally so have no dillusions.
poorcardealer said:
I would agree with the above, move slightly out of Leeds and get more property for your money even when renting, Ossett, Sandal Morley (leeds suburb) Wakefield, Horbury all within 20 minutes drive.
This was going to be my suggestion... I live in Horbury and its a lovely spot.. few good bars & resturants well worth a look and cheaper than Leeds.
Phil
poorcardealer said:
However Upper Batley is very desirable, a few famous people and me live there !!
Ps V15 BEN Did I see that plate on a Micra or similar driving past Tescos a week or two ago?
Upper Batley - right on!
A few celebs are to be found around there and I am up that neck of the woods all the time. I went to school up there, one of my best mates regularly has house parties at his parents house just off York Road and several members of my family live just round the corner from there!
You probably saw the car in Tescos indeed - my mum shops there all the time and I used to work there!
Small world - that's the second Batley PHer I have foudn in the last few weeks! So what are you driving in lovely Upper Batley then?
mightydquinn said:
I cant belive ben is slaging Batley off.
Dave mate, local sarcasm - I love it really!
There do seem to be an awful lot of very local PHers though, maybe we should have a meet sometime!
McDonalds drive thru followed by Frontier on a Friday night anyone?
>> Edited by v15ben on Friday 16th September 08:31
I can give a quick over view of most of the north of Leeds as I have been around here for a few years now:
Headingley
If its things to do and people to meet this is the place to live, its home to the Leeds Rhinos, rugby league team, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, so plenty of options for killing some time.
There is a good selection of shops and services, and quite a few pubs most with late licence, with buses into town every five minutes or so, making the area an ideal home base.
The residents (not all students) are on the whole quite friendly, rental prices are slightly above the norm due to the fact most landlords are fleecing the students for as much money as possible, so my advice would be if you want the Headingley experience but slightly cheaper and generally more professional houses go 1/2 mile up the road to far Headingley, most students can't be bothered to do this as it involves walking more than 5 minutes to the pubs, but trust me its worth the walk.
Woodhouse
Good access, quite cheap but avoid it like the plague, the area has no redeeming features except for Hyde park pub and residents that take offense at anyone who looks young enough to be a student and I should know I lived there 2 years (I was stupid) and got broken into multiple times and once by a neighbour!! Thats how friendly it is....... Avoid.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is, like Headingley but a bit more student orientated, with a good variety of pubs, bars, places to eat, and shops. One of the plus sides it does have is the park perfect for a game of football or a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun, although you missed the boat with that one since the summer is over.
Again, just like Headingley the area is served by a selection of very regular bus services into town. One thing to point out though, is if you have a car 90%+ of this area is first come first served on street parking which does no end of good to your insurance.
Burley
Its a cross between Hyde park and Woodhouse, cheaper housing, on street parking, but the locals aren't that friendly. Very good access into town and the amenities are excellent with the Warner village only a stones throw away. If you live here and want to visit Headingley for its night life its a 20 minute walk or a taxi.
Meanwood
Meanwood probably suffers from what really is an slightly undeserved reputation, but is still a pretty decent place to live. Meanwood has a whole variety of services available for the active, but is spread over a wider area.
Again it is slightly cheaper than Headingley due to the distance needed to travel to Headingley for its nightlife, but if thats not a concern and access to the city centre is what you desire then this like most of the centrally based areas is excellent.
Right that is the main student based areas out of the way, now onto the more professional, meaning the professional isn't out numbered 25 to 1.
Hosforth
Based on the north west side of Leeds 2-3 miles form the centre it scares off more of the non car owning types as the bus system while regular isn't quite as good as the ones above. However Hosforth more than makes up for that flaw with the next best thing a rail link straight through to the city centre which is cheap and runs often.
There is a good selection of shops and services, and quite a few pubs most with late licence, Rental round here is verging on the Headingley prices as its list of amenities is excellent and along with transport links make this place quite desirable for the graduate/professional new to the area wanting some nightlife but not to be overrun by students.
Roundhay/Moortown/Chapel Allerton
These areas all merge into one another in a sort about fashion.
Chapel Allerton is fast becoming the new Headingley for the professional not far behind it is Roundhay. Plus being professional based areas means they have the more up market restaurants, pubs and clubs. Amenities for the areas are excellent and again travel routes and bus systems are good to the city centre, but to get to places like Headingley you would need to get a taxi or get a bus into town then one back to Headingley, which I think is its only major drawback.
Moortown is more of a residential area stuck between the two so it benefits from being able to walk to either and use their amenities but Moortown itself is not that great on its own.
Adel
Quite expensive circa £500+ for a 2 bed flat in the purpose built house split into 4 flats off the main road. But if a quiet laid back existence is what you want then this area is idea, it has good amenities and since it shares the main bus routes with Headingley (its directly north of it) its bus services are excellent, but there are drawbacks, it has only one major pub the lawnswood arms, but since Headingley is so close that really isn't an issue.
Adel is extremely close to the boarder of Leeds, so if it a case of wanting a quick drive into the countryside then this area is ideal plus its insurance friendly.
One thing I would point out when choosing Headingley, Hyde Park, Burley and Woodhouse are v expensive for insurance, the others are quite reasonable, for example Moortown is half the price of Headingley. I won't mention crime as it could happen, but you could be lucky and it won't happen to you, generally the more student based the area, the more crime their is, although saying that my house was broken into when I was based in Moortown so anything goes.
I know v little about the other areas such as Shadwell, Alwoodley, Yeadon and Rawdon to name but a few but in general they are all nice place to live.
[url]www.livinginleeds.co.uk[/url] is a good starting point for estate agents.
As for me, I'm based in Headingley, I like the hustle and bustle that it provides, but I think the next area I'm going to look at is Hosforth.
Hope this gives you a bit more incite.
Si
Headingley
If its things to do and people to meet this is the place to live, its home to the Leeds Rhinos, rugby league team, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, so plenty of options for killing some time.
There is a good selection of shops and services, and quite a few pubs most with late licence, with buses into town every five minutes or so, making the area an ideal home base.
The residents (not all students) are on the whole quite friendly, rental prices are slightly above the norm due to the fact most landlords are fleecing the students for as much money as possible, so my advice would be if you want the Headingley experience but slightly cheaper and generally more professional houses go 1/2 mile up the road to far Headingley, most students can't be bothered to do this as it involves walking more than 5 minutes to the pubs, but trust me its worth the walk.
Woodhouse
Good access, quite cheap but avoid it like the plague, the area has no redeeming features except for Hyde park pub and residents that take offense at anyone who looks young enough to be a student and I should know I lived there 2 years (I was stupid) and got broken into multiple times and once by a neighbour!! Thats how friendly it is....... Avoid.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is, like Headingley but a bit more student orientated, with a good variety of pubs, bars, places to eat, and shops. One of the plus sides it does have is the park perfect for a game of football or a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun, although you missed the boat with that one since the summer is over.
Again, just like Headingley the area is served by a selection of very regular bus services into town. One thing to point out though, is if you have a car 90%+ of this area is first come first served on street parking which does no end of good to your insurance.
Burley
Its a cross between Hyde park and Woodhouse, cheaper housing, on street parking, but the locals aren't that friendly. Very good access into town and the amenities are excellent with the Warner village only a stones throw away. If you live here and want to visit Headingley for its night life its a 20 minute walk or a taxi.
Meanwood
Meanwood probably suffers from what really is an slightly undeserved reputation, but is still a pretty decent place to live. Meanwood has a whole variety of services available for the active, but is spread over a wider area.
Again it is slightly cheaper than Headingley due to the distance needed to travel to Headingley for its nightlife, but if thats not a concern and access to the city centre is what you desire then this like most of the centrally based areas is excellent.
Right that is the main student based areas out of the way, now onto the more professional, meaning the professional isn't out numbered 25 to 1.
Hosforth
Based on the north west side of Leeds 2-3 miles form the centre it scares off more of the non car owning types as the bus system while regular isn't quite as good as the ones above. However Hosforth more than makes up for that flaw with the next best thing a rail link straight through to the city centre which is cheap and runs often.
There is a good selection of shops and services, and quite a few pubs most with late licence, Rental round here is verging on the Headingley prices as its list of amenities is excellent and along with transport links make this place quite desirable for the graduate/professional new to the area wanting some nightlife but not to be overrun by students.
Roundhay/Moortown/Chapel Allerton
These areas all merge into one another in a sort about fashion.
Chapel Allerton is fast becoming the new Headingley for the professional not far behind it is Roundhay. Plus being professional based areas means they have the more up market restaurants, pubs and clubs. Amenities for the areas are excellent and again travel routes and bus systems are good to the city centre, but to get to places like Headingley you would need to get a taxi or get a bus into town then one back to Headingley, which I think is its only major drawback.
Moortown is more of a residential area stuck between the two so it benefits from being able to walk to either and use their amenities but Moortown itself is not that great on its own.
Adel
Quite expensive circa £500+ for a 2 bed flat in the purpose built house split into 4 flats off the main road. But if a quiet laid back existence is what you want then this area is idea, it has good amenities and since it shares the main bus routes with Headingley (its directly north of it) its bus services are excellent, but there are drawbacks, it has only one major pub the lawnswood arms, but since Headingley is so close that really isn't an issue.
Adel is extremely close to the boarder of Leeds, so if it a case of wanting a quick drive into the countryside then this area is ideal plus its insurance friendly.
One thing I would point out when choosing Headingley, Hyde Park, Burley and Woodhouse are v expensive for insurance, the others are quite reasonable, for example Moortown is half the price of Headingley. I won't mention crime as it could happen, but you could be lucky and it won't happen to you, generally the more student based the area, the more crime their is, although saying that my house was broken into when I was based in Moortown so anything goes.
I know v little about the other areas such as Shadwell, Alwoodley, Yeadon and Rawdon to name but a few but in general they are all nice place to live.
[url]www.livinginleeds.co.uk[/url] is a good starting point for estate agents.
As for me, I'm based in Headingley, I like the hustle and bustle that it provides, but I think the next area I'm going to look at is Hosforth.
Hope this gives you a bit more incite.
Si
v15ben said:
However Upper Batley is very desirable, a few famous people and me live there !!
Ps V15 BEN Did I see that plate on a Micra or similar driving past Tescos a week or two ago?
Upper Batley - right on!
A few celebs are to be found around there and I am up that neck of the woods all the time. I went to school up there, one of my best mates regularly has house parties at his parents house just off York Road and several members of my family live just round the corner from there!
You probably saw the car in Tescos indeed - my mum shops there all the time and I used to work there!
Small world - that's the second Batley PHer I have foudn in the last few weeks! So what are you driving in lovely Upper Batley then?
I have a Jag XJR which I use mostly, I also have a 911 S 1970 but its not on the road at the min (awaiting repaint)
I live very near York Road myself, If there are any parties going on it is neighbourly to invite me
gr4eme said:
( sorry might be cross threading)
[quote] telecat said
I'm in Scholes just down the road and a bit closer to Seacroft. We do see the odd Chav coming up the A64 but it is a smaller and nicer spot than Barwick. My Two children have a lot more freedom here than where we were in Moortown and the Countryside is all around.
Will be moving in with in-laws in scholes while a house fingers crossed will be built in Barwick - i like scholes and yes with the countryside all around is lovely.
Plus the buffers has new management so no scum
>> Edited by gr4eme on Thursday 15th September 15:35
>> Edited by gr4eme on Thursday 15th September 15:35[/quote]
Hopefully not where the Bungalow used to be on the Way into Barwick. That has caused a lot of "bad blood" with the developer. Scholes has been pretty good in fighting off developers trying to put 30 houses onto farmland or old orchards.
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