Anyone live in/near Leeds? Do you like it?

[jennifersofia]

Part of our great 'where should we move to' debate.
Does it have a good arts cinema? Decent state schools? How big - eg. can you walk around it comfortably, as you can Oxford or Norwich or Bath? Or is it too big to do that?
TIA

[Ali5]

My SIL lives in Roundhay, Leeds and loves it. Close to good schools and a really nice shopping area. Having visited but never lived there it is a huge city and not at all like Oxford etc. Great city centre for shops though.

[MamaGod]

we moved FROM Leeds 2 years ago. Loads of state schools, some excellent, some crap. You can walk around the centre of Leeds, it is big but easily walkable in a day. There are some VERY rough areas (and some posh ones too)

The reason we moved was for a better quality of life for us and the DCs - at that time, we sold high in Leeds and bought (fairly) low in the Lakes. Prices have caught up now though. IT enabled both me and DH to work part time instead of full time in Leeds.

[queenoftarts]

Message deleted

[sixlostmonkeys]

I live in Leeds (Roundhay) and to be honest I sometimes have to remind myself how luckily I am in some respects. Walking distance to a massive park and short bus/car trip to numerous other good parks. Then as already mentioned, places like Temple Newsham are great for a cheap and fun day out, and so quick and easy to get to.
I rarely venture into the city centre these days, mainly because I don't have to. there are so many other shopping centres with ease of parking (and cheaper or free to park) the city centre can easily be walked around - very upmarket these days but still has some wonderful old buildings. The night life is very good and I guess as safe as any other town.
Travel in any direction and you can be at a market town or village. I often go to Otley, Ilkley, Wetherby etc with ds, to wander, shop or sit by a river.
A Harewood House yearly card is a must! the best money you will ever spend. the kids love it, it is very safe, well organised, peaceful...lots of events throughout the year too... about 15 minutes drive for me, so we often go after school when the weather is nice.
Plenty if cinemas, theatres etc. it's also easy to find clubs for the kids, karate, football etc. DS goes to a bowling club which is fab.
I've never lived anywhere else so i can't really compare. Apparently we are a friendly lot though. Many a time I've chatted to someone who has moved here from down south and they are amazed at how they end up having conversations with complete strangers in shops and at bus stops etc. You can't leave your door open like in my Gran's day, but also you can't walk down the street without passing the time of day with someone

leeds is made up of many different types of area, some good, some bad - just like anywhere else I expect.

[KathyMCMLXXII]

My brother lives in Chapel Allerton with his 3 ds and he loves it.
House prices are a bit steep in some bits, though.

[MamaG]

sixlostmonkeys DON'T you are making me miss Leeds!

[themoon66]

Born and brought up near Ilkley, which is about 20 min train ride to city centre. City centre is lovely and easy to get around as everything is close together - roads on a sort of grid system.

[jennifersofia]

Great! Thanks so much for the responses - keep 'em coming!