York - what's this particular area like?

[ginzillas]

I'm after a bit of advice about York. We're currently living in Hertfordshire but are considering a move to North Yorkshire to be nearer to family. DH has found this lovely house in York. Nice leafy street and not too far from the centre but the schools nearby seem mixed. Just wondering if anyone knows this area and can give me some advice on it. Hope this link works!

www.bridgfords.co.uk/buy/property/3-bedroom-house-in-york,yo24-for-guide-price-gbp-250,000-ref-3100284/

[ginzillas]

YO24 seems to cover Dringhouses and Acomb if anyone knows those areas? Any guidance is much appreciated.

[HelpMeGetOutOfHere]

My information maybe outdated, as I haven't lived in York for a few years now, but still have family living there. Its an ok area as in its not bad but not a popular must have postcode area. Does that make sense?

I have friends who live off of Holgate Road and are happy enough with the schools (Primary and secondary), the children are happy.

I used to live on Heworth Green which is a main road into the city centre. Again mixed area, nice big Georgian townhouses and a few semis, but backing onto a large council estate. That is the problem in York lots of nice areas are very close to the not so nice areas. H's parents live in Clifton, which is a large area and 10-15 minute walk from city centre right near the nestle factory and the hospital, but there are several parts, the rougher council estate where they live and then the newer built Clifton moor housing estate, which is mainly privately owned.

I would say this was a better bet, close to the city centre, easily walkable. good schools and an outstanding school, also a good secondary school. although the house needs work.

or fulford is a good area, some good schools and still quite close to the city centre, just over a mile so walkable again. I have friends in fulfors to and they are happy with the schools and community . www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48225701.html?premiumA=true

[HelpMeGetOutOfHere]

Stockton lane is quite sought after as well, just further down Heworth green so still could be walkable but always used to have a good bus route. again in catchment for the 2 good/outstanding schools.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45216703.html love the kitchen on this one.

[TranquilityofSolitude]

I know that street. It's just off the main street in Acomb. Very handy for shops! Acomb has small high street shops and a reasonably large Morrisons just around the corner from there.

I think the main issue there is secondary schools. Manor is the more sought-after, but is hard to get into if you don't go to church. York High is the obvious alternative and is not very popular.

[lisaloulou84]

I think the area is so so, but that house is quite over priced for the area. For example this is £10k less and has an extra bedroom and is around the corner - www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32043348.html

Personally I prefer Heworth, Holgate and I'm looking for a house on the southbank - close to rowntree park and just a short walk along the river from town.

[TranquilityofSolitude]

If secondary schools are important to you I'd go and have a look at the house in Fulford linked above. Fulford School is very popular. From Fulford there's a good walk/cycle path along the edge of the river into town, which would be lovely.

[tateandlyle]

It's a bit of a funny area around there. There are some really nice roads with decent sized houses, but they're a bit sandwiched between the not so great bits (such as the Sowerby Road area and the bit between Carr Lane and Beckfield Lane). I think that you could only really tell if you had a good drive round. It is good for buses into town and the decent-ish shops at Acomb though.

[Jennifersrabbit]

I agree. As a place to live not THE most sought after area of York but fine and good access to shops, town etc. for primary schools you would have acomb primary or care infant both of which I have friends who are very happy with. Secondary manor is sought after but faith based, York High is not so good. Although YH is a new school, still developing, and it's hard to hit a truly bad school in York. Millthorpe seems a third option which again, teacher friends from that area have been happy with for their kids.
Agree the Fulford side of the river is ideal schools wise and is lovely. I can heartily recommend Fishergate Primary. But you will pay for it in house prices I'm afraid.

[Jennifersrabbit]

Carr Infant sorry.

[ginzillas]

Thanks for all the responses.
Helpmegetoutofhere I love both those houses. The kitchen in the Heworth one is amazing. And the white painted floorboards in the Fulford one are gorgeous.
I've heard of Fulford school, from previous online searches and it sounds great although, as DD is only two, I'm focusing on primaries.
Is York a welcoming place? I'm from West Yorks originally so I know that northerners are very friendly but I'm nervous about having to start all over again in terms of meeting other mums. I've made some nice friends in the year we've been in Hertfordshire so it's quite daunting, thinking about starting all over again.
We're looking at Harrogate and Knaresborough too as possible places. I do love the thought of living in such a fab city as York though.

[ginzillas]

St Oswald's C of E primary school in Fulford. Is it tricky to get in if you're not church goers? (we're not).

[HelpMeGetOutOfHere]

i always found York welcoming. I was working and made a fair few friends to go out socially with. Lots of toddler groups and kids clubs and activities quite well catered for as York has a large middle class/yummy mummy community.

I love Harrogate, although have only ever visited there. Its one of those places that I instantly felt at home in.

[MollyBdenum]

St Oswalds intake is pretty much catchment area based from what I can tell - I know lots of non religious families whose children go there, although some prefer the ethos of Fishergate. Both are excellent schools.

[MollyBdenum]

York is pretty friendly. There are lots of toddler groups, and quite a few families move here from London and the South East once they have children, either to be closer to family or to be able to afford a house with a garden in the catchment area of a good state school, so you will find plenty of people who are new to the area at school and toddler groups, as well as people who have been around for a while.

[OnlyLovers]

backing onto a large council estate. That is the problem in York lots of nice areas are very close to the not so nice areas.

That's outrageous. Council estates are, all of them, 'not so nice'?

I live in a very mixed area (in London) of beautiful Georgian terraces, council estates and everything in between. There is little crime and disturbances are as likely to come from a naice middle-class household having loud drinks in their garden as from one of the estates. Isn't a mix better than 'ghettoes' of dull primped suburbs and massive council/tower block developments?

Sorry, hijack, but I clicked on the thread out of curiosity as I like York, and then couldn't not comment on that post.

[ginzillas]

We lived in London for ten years in all sorts of areas. I'm mainly concerned with how family orientated an area is, amenities and the schools. Thanks!

[ginzillas]

I really love the look of Rowntree Park. Since leaving London last year, we've so missed all the lovely parks we had within walking distance. Is it realistic to think we could live in this area with a budget of £250k for a three bedroom house near good schools? Or am I in Lala land?!

[MollyBdenum]

It's possible. How big does the third bedroom need to be? The houses in that area in that price range with a garden tend to be 2 decent bedrooms and a small box room, but many people build an extension or convert the loft.

A lot of families also move to the villages on the outskirts of York which are the local equivalent of leafy suburbs. You have to drive everywhere but the schools tend to be good and there are often a lot of local activities.

I'll have a look on right move and see what is good...

[MollyBdenum]

In your price range, there are 3 bedroom houses in Nunthorpe Grove, Eastward Avenue and Alma Terrace, all of which are close to the river and within easy walking distance of Rowntree Park.

I'd consider renting to get a feel for the different areas at first. Alma Terrace looks pretty unremarkable, but is highly sought after with a lovely, although slightly crunchy, community atmosphere.

[MirandaWest]

I live in a village just outside York. Takes about 30 min to cycle in or there's park and ride bus or normal bus. I rent but I imagine 3 bed houses probably within your budget. The primary school here is v good and we are in the catchment for Fulford.

[MirandaWest]

Oh people saying there's not nice areas of York - there's areas not as nice as others but I think some people can get a bit insular and over excited about some slightly less leafy parts.

[ginzillas]

Really helpful comments everyone, thank you!

[ginzillas]

Molly what do you mean by 'crunchy' community atmosphere? I'm intrigued and can't work it out!

[IamHelenaJustina]

Fulford is not all that tbh. The results are the best in York but the ethos is pretty brutal, not much beyond academia tbh.
If thinking secondary school you should be looking at Archbishop Holgates or Huntington. Manor is not as good as it's rep either. Joseph Rowntrees has definitely fallen behind Huntington now. Millthorpe is on the up but the South Bank is the most pretentious area of York so it depends if you can stand your neighbours . York High and Canon Lee should be avoided.

Primary - Fishergate, Hempland, Knavesmire, Scarcroft, Huntington and Park Grove all have a decent reputation. Haxby Road too is worth a look - definitely on the up.

[JubileeStreet]

Hello!

I live in York. I actually like Acomb and Severus Avenue is a nice road and as others have said very convenient for shops. The area is quite mixed though, and to be fair there is noticeable evidence of deprivation and as a result schools are also not the ones with the best results, but it depends on what you want. On positive side the area is down to earth with good facilities and has more of a town feel, with some nice affordable period houses.

Other areas with nice housing and access to good schools include Holgate, Fulford, Heworth, Dringhouses South Bank - but latter two are expensive. If you want villages there are also a lot of good choices - nice places with good schools. Dunnington, Escrick, Wheldrake, Copmanthorpe, Bishopthorpe, Poppleton Haxby are all worth a look in my view, depending on what sort of lifestyle you want.

Happy to help!