Relocating to Yorkshire
Discussion
Shnozz said:
Harrogate is nice for a day visit but wouldn't fancy living there personally and the train is crap compared to the Ilkley line.
Yup - Harrogate is a through line so you can get delayed by other routes; also I think it is still susceptible to line flooding in the winter.Wharfedale line isn't perfect but it starts fairly early, is frequent and finishes fairly late. It doesn't "break" too frequently.
ubbs said:
Hobo said:
I'd be looking at;
1. Ilkley (LS29)
2. Horsforth (LS18)
2. Calverley (LS28)
Give the OP has 2 children and likely both adults will need to be working in Leeds City Centre, then both Ilkley & Horsforth provide the rail links required, and from Calverley you have a 5 minute drive to either New Pudsey or Apperley Bridge stations.
All locations have great green space for the family, and enough in the village/s themselves within walking distance for the essentials ie post offices, newsagents, pubs, etc. There are loads of other lovely places around Leeds however have very little within walking distance for either the adults or children.
Ilkley is probably without question the most in demand, but 550k gets you very little, and the prices properties are advertised at are very rarely what they sell for, as most go to 'best & final'. It has great schools, bars, restuarants, train links, etc, hence the prices being sought. Something like this is around the budget https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124118750#/...
Horsforth again has plenty going on for all, and also plenty to do for both kids & adults. It has great train links, and also very good schools, so again is not a cheap place to live, although there is more available than Ilkley at the price. I'd stay clear of the new builds between Rodley & Horsforth as prices will likely drop and they fall outside catchment areas of the Horsforth schools now
Calverley is a very picturesque little village with a central park, the necessary shops and a few pubs. It has the woods on its doorstep for walks. The schools options, especially senior, are its weakness, unless you are Catholics and can get your kids into St. Mary's at Menston. Prices have increased a lot for housings, so 550k will get you a nice victorian terrace with garden (but likely no garage). Make sure you look at Calverley and not Woodhall (as many try to pass it off as Calverley, and it really isn't and best avoided). Something like this maybe https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124107362#/...
All the best with the move.
Calverley gets my vote, I’ve lived here for 23 years with regards to schools both my kids went to the church school, my oldest went to Priesthorpe and Horsforth High (later being the better of the 2) there’s a bus that goes to and from Benton park school and Horsforth high to Calverley. 1. Ilkley (LS29)
2. Horsforth (LS18)
2. Calverley (LS28)
Give the OP has 2 children and likely both adults will need to be working in Leeds City Centre, then both Ilkley & Horsforth provide the rail links required, and from Calverley you have a 5 minute drive to either New Pudsey or Apperley Bridge stations.
All locations have great green space for the family, and enough in the village/s themselves within walking distance for the essentials ie post offices, newsagents, pubs, etc. There are loads of other lovely places around Leeds however have very little within walking distance for either the adults or children.
Ilkley is probably without question the most in demand, but 550k gets you very little, and the prices properties are advertised at are very rarely what they sell for, as most go to 'best & final'. It has great schools, bars, restuarants, train links, etc, hence the prices being sought. Something like this is around the budget https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124118750#/...
Horsforth again has plenty going on for all, and also plenty to do for both kids & adults. It has great train links, and also very good schools, so again is not a cheap place to live, although there is more available than Ilkley at the price. I'd stay clear of the new builds between Rodley & Horsforth as prices will likely drop and they fall outside catchment areas of the Horsforth schools now
Calverley is a very picturesque little village with a central park, the necessary shops and a few pubs. It has the woods on its doorstep for walks. The schools options, especially senior, are its weakness, unless you are Catholics and can get your kids into St. Mary's at Menston. Prices have increased a lot for housings, so 550k will get you a nice victorian terrace with garden (but likely no garage). Make sure you look at Calverley and not Woodhall (as many try to pass it off as Calverley, and it really isn't and best avoided). Something like this maybe https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124107362#/...
All the best with the move.
Having a house in Roundhay, the commute into Leeds is really not that bad. We're living in a post-pandemic WFH world where traffic levels at peak hours are not what they used to be.
I don't understand the praise for the railway lines whilst being critical of commutes from the suburbs of Leeds. The OP will still need to get to and from a local railway station in whatever weather just to get on a train and then get to the office once in Leeds. Lengthy commute times await.
Northern Rail are known for their 'sardine specials', delays and clapped out rolling stock. Plus there's going to be a reliance on the train to get to and from work.
I used to commute from Chapeltown to Harrogate, a slightly shorter distance, and my back garden was more or less the A61 / Scott Hall Road (Sheepscar Club / National Tyres, that little corner). That was bad enough but still not bad, although the 36 bus stopping a stone's throw away on Chapeltown Road and from my workplace on Victoria Avenue was very convenient and comfortable.
To commute to Harrogate from Ilkley, Burley etc would be an awkward drive IMO and rife with traffic/tailback hotspots. A660, a number of roundabouts, Pool Bank / Dyneley Arms traffic lights and then Pool Bank down the A658.
Would be far worse from Calverley et al (A657 and A65) and no direct train route either. Into Leeds would be no better and he'd be arriving on the most congested side of the City Centre: almost completely single carriageway and more speed cameras than we've had hot dinners as well.
The OP also has a family and so amenities, leisure etc would be a must. Out in the sticks is green, pleasant and a bit more tranquil but it will have its drawbacks in that sense, including when the weather gets bad.
On a hypothetical budget of half a million for a house, Roundhay is just about achievable and has the traffic connections, amenities and green space (Roundhay Park where there are frequently events),.all whilst being within easy reach of the Ring Road, A61 and other back roads into Harrogate.
Otherwise places like Oakwood, Moortown and Chapel Allerton offer similar proximity.
I don't understand the praise for the railway lines whilst being critical of commutes from the suburbs of Leeds. The OP will still need to get to and from a local railway station in whatever weather just to get on a train and then get to the office once in Leeds. Lengthy commute times await.
Northern Rail are known for their 'sardine specials', delays and clapped out rolling stock. Plus there's going to be a reliance on the train to get to and from work.
I used to commute from Chapeltown to Harrogate, a slightly shorter distance, and my back garden was more or less the A61 / Scott Hall Road (Sheepscar Club / National Tyres, that little corner). That was bad enough but still not bad, although the 36 bus stopping a stone's throw away on Chapeltown Road and from my workplace on Victoria Avenue was very convenient and comfortable.
To commute to Harrogate from Ilkley, Burley etc would be an awkward drive IMO and rife with traffic/tailback hotspots. A660, a number of roundabouts, Pool Bank / Dyneley Arms traffic lights and then Pool Bank down the A658.
Would be far worse from Calverley et al (A657 and A65) and no direct train route either. Into Leeds would be no better and he'd be arriving on the most congested side of the City Centre: almost completely single carriageway and more speed cameras than we've had hot dinners as well.
The OP also has a family and so amenities, leisure etc would be a must. Out in the sticks is green, pleasant and a bit more tranquil but it will have its drawbacks in that sense, including when the weather gets bad.
On a hypothetical budget of half a million for a house, Roundhay is just about achievable and has the traffic connections, amenities and green space (Roundhay Park where there are frequently events),.all whilst being within easy reach of the Ring Road, A61 and other back roads into Harrogate.
Otherwise places like Oakwood, Moortown and Chapel Allerton offer similar proximity.
captain.scarlet said:
Having a house in Roundhay, the commute into Leeds is really not that bad. We're living in a post-pandemic WFH world where traffic levels at peak hours are not what they used to be.
I don't understand the praise for the railway lines whilst being critical of commutes from the suburbs of Leeds. The OP will still need to get to and from a local railway station in whatever weather just to get on a train and then get to the office once in Leeds. Lengthy commute times await.
Northern Rail are known for their 'sardine specials', delays and clapped out rolling stock. Plus there's going to be a reliance on the train to get to and from work.
The trains that run on the Ilkley line are a world apart from the Harrogate trains. Comfortable temperatures, generally clean and tidy and more plentiful in numbers. It's like the operator has assigned them knowing the demographic along that route compared to those in other directions. I don't understand the praise for the railway lines whilst being critical of commutes from the suburbs of Leeds. The OP will still need to get to and from a local railway station in whatever weather just to get on a train and then get to the office once in Leeds. Lengthy commute times await.
Northern Rail are known for their 'sardine specials', delays and clapped out rolling stock. Plus there's going to be a reliance on the train to get to and from work.
I think many (me included) were advocating living within a short distance of a station so as to not have to then drive to a station or rely on an additional form of transport. Doing that wouldn't make much sense, I would agree. And there is no way on hells earth that I would want to be driving from somewhere such as Ilkley on a daily basis - it only works by train IMO. By contrast, Roundhay and surroundings are a breeze.
Mrs Shnozz lived in Roundhay when we first met and so I sampled the commute a fair bit. It's not terrible, and certainly no worse than many other places, but it can be usual nose to tail city suburbs to centre commute. Then you have the extortionate parking and the hassle of driving, meaning no work on the commute or a chance for a beer after work. You are reliant on your car, a bus (which incorporates Chapeltown...) or a £20 cab. Fine I guess if you have free parking, or are WFH 3 days a week or whatever, but I wouldn't want to do it for 5. Horses for courses but lovely place to live for sure.
Mrs SB commutes Burley to Harrogate, takes 25-30 minutes setting off at 7:30. Goes via back road out of Otley via Beckwithshaw.
I sometimes commute into Leeds from Burley by car depending on if I need to go out on site. I used to do it more regularly when I had a 45 mpg company car and a parking space, it took about 45-50 minutes if you know some cut throughs.
I take the train now if just visiting office as no longer have parking, and a 21mpg car. Train is a 20 minutes journey £7.60 return.
I sometimes commute into Leeds from Burley by car depending on if I need to go out on site. I used to do it more regularly when I had a 45 mpg company car and a parking space, it took about 45-50 minutes if you know some cut throughs.
I take the train now if just visiting office as no longer have parking, and a 21mpg car. Train is a 20 minutes journey £7.60 return.
captain.scarlet said:
To commute to Harrogate from Ilkley, Burley etc would be an awkward drive IMO and rife with traffic/tailback hotspots. A660, a number of roundabouts, Pool Bank / Dyneley Arms traffic lights and then Pool Bank down the A658.
You wouldn't go that way anyway... you go via Otley and the back road via Beckwithshaw, or bypass Pool bank by using old Pool Bank. Or worse case North out of Otley to the A59.
Ilkley is a lovely town but links to motorway network are poor if you want to get about in the car.
I have been a resident of Wetherby for 12 years and whilst there is no train service it’s 45 mins on the bus into Leeds and there are regular services into Harrogate. It’s a market town with a community feel and good sports facilities. Lots of independent shops and nice character next to the river.
With it being next to the a1 you can go north south very quickly (30 mins to Wakefield for example). Very easy to get to York, the dales and the moors. Some good villages such as collingham and Boston spa nearby.
The downside is that property is not cheap.
I have been a resident of Wetherby for 12 years and whilst there is no train service it’s 45 mins on the bus into Leeds and there are regular services into Harrogate. It’s a market town with a community feel and good sports facilities. Lots of independent shops and nice character next to the river.
With it being next to the a1 you can go north south very quickly (30 mins to Wakefield for example). Very easy to get to York, the dales and the moors. Some good villages such as collingham and Boston spa nearby.
The downside is that property is not cheap.
Somewhere around Roundhay /Moortown /Shadwell would be a nice area. As an example of houses in the area, this recently sold STC.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85304013#/?...
It is directly off the Ring Road so not for everyone, however instant access to the road network.
5-10 min walk up to Street Lane and busses every 5-10 min at normal times into town as well as a large range of restaurants, 2 co-op stores(ones at the petrol station) mid size local sainsburys another 5min walk along.
Not sure where you plan on sending the kids but there is the Grammar school nearby, Allerton high school and Roundhay, as well as a couple of schools for younger children.
There is basically no rail links in the area.
Alot of the houses in this area are slightly older so have a reasonable garden, the one I posted above has a large fenced in garden at the back, ideal for young kids learning to ride a bike or play football, then a short ride/walk down the cycle/walkway to Roundhay park etc.
If you have any questions about anything let me know, I will help where I can.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85304013#/?...
It is directly off the Ring Road so not for everyone, however instant access to the road network.
5-10 min walk up to Street Lane and busses every 5-10 min at normal times into town as well as a large range of restaurants, 2 co-op stores(ones at the petrol station) mid size local sainsburys another 5min walk along.
Not sure where you plan on sending the kids but there is the Grammar school nearby, Allerton high school and Roundhay, as well as a couple of schools for younger children.
There is basically no rail links in the area.
Alot of the houses in this area are slightly older so have a reasonable garden, the one I posted above has a large fenced in garden at the back, ideal for young kids learning to ride a bike or play football, then a short ride/walk down the cycle/walkway to Roundhay park etc.
If you have any questions about anything let me know, I will help where I can.
We used to live in Bramham and we adored it. Quite literally instant A1 access (but I didn't find it too noisy) and a 45 minute bus into Leeds which was very regular. My partner has commuted from Wetherby centre, Bramham and now currently Sherburn in Elmet. 40-45 minutes traffic dependant.
Jimmy No Hands said:
We used to live in Bramham and we adored it. Quite literally instant A1 access (but I didn't find it too noisy) and a 45 minute bus into Leeds which was very regular. My partner has commuted from Wetherby centre, Bramham and now currently Sherburn in Elmet. 40-45 minutes traffic dependant.
How do you find Sherburn? Have occasionally looked at there or South Milford.MitchT said:
My best mate lives in Whixley, about five minutes' drive from J29 of the A1(M). Also, 20 minutes' walk from Cattal station, for trains to York and Leeds. Nice place with a surprising amount of car folk for such a small area.
It’s a nice area but prone to horrendous flooding - so be very careful with house choices and also which roads get cut off. The environment agency model / web site not great for flood maps.The massive housing development at Green Hammerton and the A59, all conspire to put me off Whixley.
It was briefly mentioned but you would get a lot more bang for your buck in the northern part of the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray. Though you would be best avoiding Leeds for employment, looking more at rural practices in Northallerton, Richmond, Ripon, York etc. It’s very well placed for trips to the dales, North York’s Moors and even the lower part fo the Durham Dales.
Not sure about Schools though, I don’t think Northallerton is particularly good, most from our Village (7 miles north of Northallerton) got to Richmond. Yarm has an excellent private school, expect it’s expensive though.
Being old and almost retired now, it suited us better than Wetherby, where we brought our kids up.
It was briefly mentioned but you would get a lot more bang for your buck in the northern part of the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray. Though you would be best avoiding Leeds for employment, looking more at rural practices in Northallerton, Richmond, Ripon, York etc. It’s very well placed for trips to the dales, North York’s Moors and even the lower part fo the Durham Dales.
Not sure about Schools though, I don’t think Northallerton is particularly good, most from our Village (7 miles north of Northallerton) got to Richmond. Yarm has an excellent private school, expect it’s expensive though.
Being old and almost retired now, it suited us better than Wetherby, where we brought our kids up.
Bit of a curve ball but I would go south. Anything with a DN or WF postcode will be miles cheaper. I used to do a lot of work around Harrogate and the top side of Leeds and its a nice area but way too much traffic. The more rural spots to the North of Leeds still have horrific traffic. We are just outside Wakefield and I can be in London in 2 hours 15 door to door on the train or just over 4 to Edinburgh. We are suburban here and we have looked at going a bit more rural but we would be out in the DN postcodes where your 550k budget will actually buy something pretty decent. A Compromise could be the linking areas from the south of where we are which would be Selby/Sherburn/Tadcaster We keep looking over that way but the battle is always getting something as good value as we got in the WF area. All the posh postcodes like your LS17/29 etc 550k won't get much! Where we are now you could manage even without a car the transport links are great.
Late to this thread.
You first have to ask how long you're prepared to commute, and what specifically you're looking for.
You also have to understand that prices have gone pretty crazy in the nice areas over the last 12 months or so.
Harrogate itself isn't a bad shout. Although much of it is very pricey, there are sometimes good deals in places like Beckwithshaw.
If you can cope with a short drive to a station, Oldfield (SW of Keighley) is a nice pocket - not quite Dales, but fully Bronté country. As ever, have to choose wisely, but your budget could get a nice 3/4 bed with garden and spectacular views in a very quiet area just there. Don't be drawn to the faded glory of South of Haworth, however - that's a whole lot rougher
Just North of Keighley can be OK - your budget would have bought a nice 4-bed doer-upper with large attached workshop, decent garden, attractive views and huge garage in West Morton recently, with plenty left over for a complete makeover - another quiet place with great views (the only problem being lack of decent broadband in some places).
Skipton area can be good. But if you want to live in the Dales you may have to compromise on house size for the money you've got. There's not much supply, and good stuff often goes for as much as 25% over asking.
What wasn't clear from your post was how you'll manage childcare and, therefore, what your maximum allowable journey time might be. That's really the tail that's going to wag the dog.
Since this is PH, it is also worth pointing out that some post codes in the area you're looking are not well-liked by insurers. So worth checking with a tool such as https://niceareas.co.uk/cheap-car-insurance-check/ - you may find you can save some significant money on insurance.
For reference, I'm right up in the midst of the Dales; Skipton station for me is 20-30 minutes' drive depending on traffic and how much Red Bull consumed (...). Note that there's no Skipton-Harrogate train service.
Another option for you to consider is around Northallerton. There's a direct train to Leeds and some lovely countryside round about. Depending upon your appetite for travel, that puts places like Leyburn in play.
But really you need to decide what you want: live in a village? in the Dales? in a suburb? Somewhere with a primary school? And how long are you prepared to travel? As others have mentioned, there's a lot of choice in your chosen macro area.
You first have to ask how long you're prepared to commute, and what specifically you're looking for.
You also have to understand that prices have gone pretty crazy in the nice areas over the last 12 months or so.
Harrogate itself isn't a bad shout. Although much of it is very pricey, there are sometimes good deals in places like Beckwithshaw.
If you can cope with a short drive to a station, Oldfield (SW of Keighley) is a nice pocket - not quite Dales, but fully Bronté country. As ever, have to choose wisely, but your budget could get a nice 3/4 bed with garden and spectacular views in a very quiet area just there. Don't be drawn to the faded glory of South of Haworth, however - that's a whole lot rougher
Just North of Keighley can be OK - your budget would have bought a nice 4-bed doer-upper with large attached workshop, decent garden, attractive views and huge garage in West Morton recently, with plenty left over for a complete makeover - another quiet place with great views (the only problem being lack of decent broadband in some places).
Skipton area can be good. But if you want to live in the Dales you may have to compromise on house size for the money you've got. There's not much supply, and good stuff often goes for as much as 25% over asking.
What wasn't clear from your post was how you'll manage childcare and, therefore, what your maximum allowable journey time might be. That's really the tail that's going to wag the dog.
Since this is PH, it is also worth pointing out that some post codes in the area you're looking are not well-liked by insurers. So worth checking with a tool such as https://niceareas.co.uk/cheap-car-insurance-check/ - you may find you can save some significant money on insurance.
For reference, I'm right up in the midst of the Dales; Skipton station for me is 20-30 minutes' drive depending on traffic and how much Red Bull consumed (...). Note that there's no Skipton-Harrogate train service.
Another option for you to consider is around Northallerton. There's a direct train to Leeds and some lovely countryside round about. Depending upon your appetite for travel, that puts places like Leyburn in play.
But really you need to decide what you want: live in a village? in the Dales? in a suburb? Somewhere with a primary school? And how long are you prepared to travel? As others have mentioned, there's a lot of choice in your chosen macro area.
skwdenyer said:
Another option for you to consider is around Northallerton. There's a direct train to Leeds and some lovely countryside round about.
We looked at that before kids; there are some lovely properties around - we even looked at a converted windmill for c.300k but the door to door was becoming 1hr 15 each way.Gassing Station | Yorkshire | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff