Moving to Bradford-opinions?
Discussion
Bradford gets a bad reputation and I have to admit that I do, to an extent, understand why.
We are originally from Sheffield and moved to Leeds last year for work reasons. We currently live in Leeds city centre and pay a fortune in rent (£775PCM). At the age of 31, we now feel it is time to buy a house.
We have managed to save a small deposit and it stretches to this help to buy scheme the government is doing.
So we're looking at new builds. That in itself is a bit scary, as you do hear horror stories about them, but what with our small deposit we feel we have little choice.
I suppose the other thing is that a brand new house, hopefully, should be ok for at least a little while as we don't have a ton of money to start repairing roofs, boilers and other things an older house can come up with. They also appear to be very energy efficient which we feel is important.
Anyhow, most new builds appear to be built near not so fantastic areas. Presumably cheap land for the company... We have found a fantastic townhouse in Bradford, literally a couple of streets away from an LS postcode.
Must admit if we bought it, we are buying purely for the house, anything outside of it is utterly soulless and a bit rough but what can you do? We need something to start with but is Bradford pushing it a bit too far?
We are originally from Sheffield and moved to Leeds last year for work reasons. We currently live in Leeds city centre and pay a fortune in rent (£775PCM). At the age of 31, we now feel it is time to buy a house.
We have managed to save a small deposit and it stretches to this help to buy scheme the government is doing.
So we're looking at new builds. That in itself is a bit scary, as you do hear horror stories about them, but what with our small deposit we feel we have little choice.
I suppose the other thing is that a brand new house, hopefully, should be ok for at least a little while as we don't have a ton of money to start repairing roofs, boilers and other things an older house can come up with. They also appear to be very energy efficient which we feel is important.
Anyhow, most new builds appear to be built near not so fantastic areas. Presumably cheap land for the company... We have found a fantastic townhouse in Bradford, literally a couple of streets away from an LS postcode.
Must admit if we bought it, we are buying purely for the house, anything outside of it is utterly soulless and a bit rough but what can you do? We need something to start with but is Bradford pushing it a bit too far?
Mannginger said:
Odd decision making process IMO: "I must buy a house, in order to do so I'll need to live somewhere I don't want to, but hey, at least I'm on the ladder!"
If you're desperate to get on to that ladder can you buy a place to let it out and still rent somewhere you want to live?
Personally, regardless of Bradford or not, I wouldn't move to a poor location just to get into my own property.
I've worded things rather poorly I admit. I mean the house itself can't be beaten- new, rather large 4 bedrooms for £160,000. We entertain quite often and living dining kitchen is fantastic. The very same house in Leeds is up for £200,000. We are about to start a family so do need the space.If you're desperate to get on to that ladder can you buy a place to let it out and still rent somewhere you want to live?
Personally, regardless of Bradford or not, I wouldn't move to a poor location just to get into my own property.
All of what has been said so far is not wrong. Thing is though it will a long while until we can afford to live in North Leeds/Harrogate. We just don't know what to do, one side of us is thinking' what the hell are we even debating about- we can't live here' and the next it's 'but what else'?
hora said:
I'd rather have a 3bed house in a decent area than a 4bed house in a compromise area OP. Seriously, I know friends (and us) - as soon as we bought a house mrsH went from normal/lets go out to sudden 'I WANT A BABY'.
Again, not wrong at all. We would have a 3 bed but it doesn't change things hugely to be honest. Not up here at least.dazwalsh said:
I would live there no problem. It's not in a bad area more like on the very edge of what is perceived to be a grim area, a lot of Asians as you go from thornbury roundabout down into the city centre which is why it's got such a bad rep.
Some damn fine curry houses though so I wouldn't be put off by any of that.
For me the rush hour traffic would be a sticking point. I can only advise to give the place a test run at 5:30 one evening and see for yourself.
Thank you. That is very helpful and I'll give it a test run sometime next week.Some damn fine curry houses though so I wouldn't be put off by any of that.
For me the rush hour traffic would be a sticking point. I can only advise to give the place a test run at 5:30 one evening and see for yourself.
Muffster said:
Hello mate.
I've lived in Bradford all my life and I can tell you it's not all that bad. Yes, I live in a nice area and a lot of people who, have opinions have seen the s
t holes of the city on which they base their opinions. Bradford has an awful lot of places, areas, attractions etc, etc which are really nice. A short drive and I'm into the countryside and the Dales which I love.
There are some parts of the city which I would avoid, as in any city. Where exactly are you looking at? let me know and I'll try and give you an honest opinion.
Feel free to PM me if you like.
Good luck.
Email sent!I've lived in Bradford all my life and I can tell you it's not all that bad. Yes, I live in a nice area and a lot of people who, have opinions have seen the s
t holes of the city on which they base their opinions. Bradford has an awful lot of places, areas, attractions etc, etc which are really nice. A short drive and I'm into the countryside and the Dales which I love. There are some parts of the city which I would avoid, as in any city. Where exactly are you looking at? let me know and I'll try and give you an honest opinion.
Feel free to PM me if you like.
Good luck.
We have decided against it. I guess the saying 'if it seems too good to be true' applies here, in terms of the house itself. The rest of it is very grim and to be honest we almost feel relieved that we took that decision.
The problem remains though- where do we go! We have seen some nice houses in Wakefield (which isn't amazing in itself but anything is an improvement on Bradford) but again, it appears to be near a sodding council estate:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Wakefield,+Wes...
I may as well start a 'Moving to Wakefield-opinions' thread!
The problem remains though- where do we go! We have seen some nice houses in Wakefield (which isn't amazing in itself but anything is an improvement on Bradford) but again, it appears to be near a sodding council estate:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Wakefield,+Wes...
I may as well start a 'Moving to Wakefield-opinions' thread!
Yazar said:
Don't judge a council estate by streetview- go walk around it.
We did. It looks like any other council estate. With the odd character and cans of lager in their hands.
What is your criteria- is it just x minutes commute to Leeds?
Yes- easily commutable distance to Leeds and Sheffield.
Also will your partner work fulltime in central Leeds/become a stay a home mum/work near to home etc when kids come along. Also you said you are both from Sheffield- if so is all your family there and how often will you be going back there as south of Leeds will be better than Bradford direction if driving.
Unsure as yet but we can't really afford for her/me to be stay at home parents for long. Which is a sad state of affairs but the cost of living dictates this.
Have you looked at the other help2buy options as well e.g. the mortgage guarantee option which can apply to non-new builds. https://www.gov.uk/affordable-home-ownership-schem...
We're quite happy with the 5% deposit on a new build.
Also have you considered not using help2buy, but instead buying a cheap terrace as a starter home?
Yes we have. But a lot of houses have potential for repair work. At this stage of our lives with need the easy option, which is, generally, a new build. In time, with more money, we'd love a house with more character. They also tend not to be energy efficient, warmth is a priority in this country!
We did. It looks like any other council estate. With the odd character and cans of lager in their hands.
What is your criteria- is it just x minutes commute to Leeds?
Yes- easily commutable distance to Leeds and Sheffield.
Also will your partner work fulltime in central Leeds/become a stay a home mum/work near to home etc when kids come along. Also you said you are both from Sheffield- if so is all your family there and how often will you be going back there as south of Leeds will be better than Bradford direction if driving.
Unsure as yet but we can't really afford for her/me to be stay at home parents for long. Which is a sad state of affairs but the cost of living dictates this.
Have you looked at the other help2buy options as well e.g. the mortgage guarantee option which can apply to non-new builds. https://www.gov.uk/affordable-home-ownership-schem...
We're quite happy with the 5% deposit on a new build.
Also have you considered not using help2buy, but instead buying a cheap terrace as a starter home?
Yes we have. But a lot of houses have potential for repair work. At this stage of our lives with need the easy option, which is, generally, a new build. In time, with more money, we'd love a house with more character. They also tend not to be energy efficient, warmth is a priority in this country!
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