Relocating to Leeds but which area??

[relocationrose]

Hiya wasn't sure where to post so posting here for traffic!
Me and DP have been in a long distance relationship for 2 years now (him living in Leeds and me on the Fylde coast, Lancashire) but I'm going to start looking for jobs in Leeds with the view to relocating.
We will be renting at first with a view to buying a year or so later but we just don't know where!
DP is currently living in Garforth where he also works which although is ok and the perfect location for getting around, I want somewhere which is more like where I currently live which is a proper town in itself, with plenty of independent shops/cafes/bars etc rather than a 'commuter town'.
DP has only been in Leeds for 2 years himself so doesn't really know areas other than Garforth and the city centre.
I think we would like to stay E/NE Leeds area so it's handy for DP's work and also good for the M1/M62.
So is there anything that will fit the bill? Or are we best sticking in Garforth?
Thanks!

Chapel Allerton?

Thanks Thunder will take a look aiming to get a list of places ready to go for a drive around on Saturday!

Horsforth may be your best bet. Otherwise, Otley, Yeadon or Pudsey.

Agreed Horsforth is lovely but a long way from m62/m1 links.

Morley is a nice area and you can get quite a bit of house for your money. Right next to junction 27 of the m62 and really good local amenities.

Horsforth is lovely!!!

I was going to say Morley too, if you wavy motorway links but a small town too. Horsforth, Otley, Chapel Allerton etc are lovely, but not handy for motorways.

Or Rothwell?

What's your budget though? NE Leeds can be really expensive

Thanks for all the suggestions, budget is probably anything up to 230k for a 3 bed when we buy, not sure if that's realistic though!
I had wondered about Rothwell so will take a closer look.

Tadcaster might suit. It's definitely a town in its own right, with plenty of shops and cafes, but it's near the M1 / A1, and not far at all from Garforth.

Rothwell is a nice town, plus good motorway/East Leeds access. Also look at Woodlesford and Swillington between Rothwell and Garforth. Tadcaster also a good choice.

Big downside of favoured North Leeds suburbs is that the traffic is truely awful at rush hour. You might not get what you're looking for on budget either.

Horsforth is, indeed, lovely - but to get to the motorways is a terrible journey, especially in rush hour. Definitely avoid if that's an important consideration.

I like Headingley but it's not near the motorways.

I lived briefly in Roundhay, NE Leeds. I really liked it. Nice old houses, and huge park.
Shops etc. on Street Lane, then more, inc. big Tesco on Roundhay Road.

I'm a fan of morley and garforth personally.

Fairly reasonable prices in both

I agree with Chapel Allerton.

Yes Roundhay is nice too. Don;t know Chapel Allerton but I've seen it recommended on MN before.

Do you need to be near the motorways for work OP? If not Chapel Allerton, Roundhay and Meanwood are worth a look.

Wetherby is a nice town. Plenty in the town itself in addition to being a good commute to Leeds, Harrogate and York. 20 mins to Garforth. 30 mins to Leeds. On the A1M. You'd get a 3 bed semi for £230k. Good schools, ok shops, (but tbh I'd go to Harrogate or Leeds for serious shopping), loads of pubs and cafes.
Good luck!

Wow lots to think about . My job involves a lot of travelling so being close to the motorway is important (Garforth is the perfect location, I just wish it had a better town centre!) assuming I would still be travelling a lot once I find a new job. Also DP will potentially be working in Pontefract in the future which is why we need to be over that side of Leeds.
We both love roundhay but admittedly assumed house prices would be too high, may be worth a look though.

Guiseley is nice. As is Otley or Horsforth.

Wetherby sounds like it might fit the bill for you it's got a lovely town centre and good commuter links.

Rothwell is nice.

I live in motley next to it. As a place to live I prefer methley. The village has a great community and loads of stuff going on. However it doesn't have bars and restaurants.

I would think that rothwell would be better than methley for you.

I also work in morely. That sounds like it might be somewhere you would like too.

Rothwell/methley is great for travelling to pontefract. Takes about 10-15 mins in the car.

It depends on your lifestyle and what you want on your doorstep. I live in a village on the Wakefield side of Rothwell (the Morrisons in its centre is our local 'big shop' supermarket) and love it; far cheaper than North Leeds and all the amenities, whilst being a very quick journey into Leeds for a proper night (or day) out. It also has a nice park that holds a weekly park run

Morley town centre is rubbish.