Living in Yorkshire / Leeds area (advice)

[alfaman]

I am likely to move back to UK from asia early- mid next year ( could split time between UK and Asia as semi retired )

Am seriously considering a move up North - and thinking of either Leeds or Dales as a UK base.

Any suggestions / advice on good places to live in the area ( friends have suggested Ilkley - though maybe that’s rather quiet in the evenings )

I enjoy hiking / climbing/ outdoor stuff but also am used to living somewhere there are good pubs/ restaurants / nightlife / culture ... hence the idea of Leeds. (Have been singapore based for nearly 8 years )

Anyone have experience of living in Leeds city centre? Reasonably vibrant ?

Thanks for any thoughts / suggestions

[alfaman]

Fat Wolfie said:

Ilkley is very nice, but without knowing your age it’s hard to say whether it would be right for you. To me, it still is a bit “blue rinse” - but still a very nice place albeit expensive. It does have a direct train to Leeds too so the nightlife etc there is fairly easily accessible.

Harrogate has a bit more going on that Ilkley but can be horrendously expensive too. Plus if you like outdoors stuff, then apart from the open green spaces of The Stray etc you’ll have to jump in the car.

Otley is a nice lively place, plenty of pubs, eateries, market 3 times a week plus loads of nearby walking attractions. But a downside is a lack of train station so if you want a Leeds fix, then access is tricky other than driving or taxi. Think there is a bus though!

As far as living in Leeds (centre) is concerned, it is a big university town and has a kicking night life. Excellent shops, restaurants etc but I’d find it too much to live there due to the literally hoards of drunk youths virtually any night of the week who seem to run feral.

Baildon has a lot going for it, at the top end it butts onto the moors that stretch to Ilkley, has a few pubs and take aways and a big Co Op. There is a station too but unfortunately no direct link to Leeds - which means at commuter times traffic can be a mare.

Just some thoughts - if you want to PM any ideas etc then please feel free. There are some really nice areas but others are places you’d not want to go in the day, never mind after dark!

Thanks for that

I am late 50s ... live in Asia so am used to going out to music and nightlife without any ‘feral drunk youth’ running about .... Leeds sounds lively .. but maybe too ‘rough’ in city centre from what you say.

may drop you a PM

[alfaman]

thanks for the comments and suggestions - much appreciated