Hull v sheffield v leeds

[Anoni]

Hey all, I've recently just been acceoted onto my first ever proper job earning 20k a year which i think is a fab initial wage at 20, however I'm in a bit of a dilema. The company has offices in the three listed cities and I'm just struggling to really decide which one to go to, so would really appreciate any opinions and advice.

My main focus is really affordability, I'd like to rent my own place if possible, I've got used to living by myself in my home town, so i don't think i could really deal with flatmates. I'm not likely ever going to earn over 25k so that also affects long term affordability for buying a house when I'm older.

I enjoy hiking and being outdoors so sheffield is drawing me in with the peaks, but i also love the idea of living in a bigger city like leeds. Hull is closest to family but not by much and seems cheaper then the other too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Wow it's great to see the massive support for hull, really heartwarming and you're selling it amazingly.

I'm off to work as an admin assistant within a tech company, so not financial services.

My only problem with leeds currently is it seems so expensive, looking at what i could get for 500, i seem to be really far out but i don't drive, or in a bit of a dump within the student areas.

I'll have a look at the sheffield postcodes given, thank you, and if anyone else has more info or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have been to Hull and had an unpleasant experience but that's not what would put me off. My worry would be if I needed to change jobs that there are a lot more options in Leeds/Sheffield due to their location. Good luck finding somewhere and in the new job.

There are other threads about areas of leeds, might mention some that could appeal.

Also, student areas don’t necessarily mean dumps, eg headingley has great amenities.

I meant the accommodation for 500 is a dump haha, headingley seems noce just a tad expensive for a 1 bed

Anoni
Hi, if working for a tech company, most of them in Hull tend to be found in the Old Town, Fruit market/Marina and city centre areas. There is new C4DI building, backed by the university of Hull.
I know there is lots of new flats been built in the fruit market area, and loads in the old town.
Rightmove has 6 pages of 1 bed flats to rent in Hull for under £450/month.
I vaguely remember an article, in 2018, saying Hull was one of the best places outside London for starting up and running tech firms.

Finally good luck with your new job, in any of the city's. Exciting time for you

It is so exciting haha, it doesn't seem like much or a big deal but I've had some personal family issues so have been working 2 part time jobs in retail to support myself, so finally getting a proper full time job earning 20k is amazing for me.

Hull does seem really affordable at the moment which is one of its pulling points.

I wouldn’t want to live in Headingley. Student central.

How about places on the Wharfedale or Airedale line? Good train services to Leeds.

For £500 you could get a one-bedroom house in Morley plus a monthly season ticket for the train journey into Leeds, and have money left for a weekly takeaway.

Morley is nice as well.

I lived in Hull for a long time. Leeds is definitely the more buzzy of places as Hull feels a bit out the way but Hull isn’t awful.

Thank you for the advice so far, strangely i feel myself leaning to hull due to the cost of living and how some posters have described it, but then i really want the buzz of a big city too

I grew up in Hull and much as I love the city, I'd go elsewhere for opportunities. I find Leeds horrendous (did before any modernisation of the city centre, couldn't get out fast enough after the fact), but rather like Sheffield.

2Boys Princes Quay, as with most shopping arcades built in the 90s, is mostly dead. The prospect centre is probably more buzzing, these days.

OP if you work in Sheffield, it's hardly a big ask to keep an eye on Leeds and commute for a while, before moving, if a good job comes up.

That’s sad. I used to love Princes Quay.

Princess Quay might be dead, but other parts of Hull have moved forward, Humber street and surroundings have lots of independent and unique businesses doing well there now, and its got a lovely atmosphere to it.

But TBF any big shopping centre is not my cup of tea dead or not

Think you should visit each city for a day and night to get a feel for them, you could ask for places to go the day before you visit each.

Another Hull resident here who loves her city!! It takes a while to grow on you, but it gets under your skin.

But I would imagine that Leeds and Sheffield are a lot of fun too. Plenty of people in Hull use the clubs and shops of Leeds, we're not that far off. See if you can spend a day in each. Good luck :)

pickachew Re shopping, the new shopping centre next to the station is good - a big Next, Tesco and Body Shop. I was in Hull just yesterday and was reminded of just how friendly and welcoming it is. Hull and it's people are just very 'real' somehow. As I said previously, I grew up not too far away so it's very familiar to me as the nearest city so I might be a bit biased but having visited Leeds many times and worked as a rep covering Sheffield, I'm sure Hull would still be my choice of the 3.

And Beverley's good for a visit. Plus as I said, really easy access to the coast.

Beverley is really nice and so is Cottingham. I suppose it depends on what you want. I know you have a good but might be worth scouting jobs in Hull to see what it’s like incase you end up wanting to change jobs.

If you look at west Leeds, pudsey, farsley etc you can get more for your money. This one for example - www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-81395693.html

They're both accessible to new pudsey train station as well and it's only 12 minutes on the train to Leeds.

It depends what you're after where you're living really. Rodley is lovely and has two good bus services but is limited to a couple of nice restaurants and pubs and the odd shop. The Leeds-Liverpool canal is on your doorstep however and Leeds city centre has all the shops and everything you'd need.

Short term cost of living is important, sure, but so are things like future job prospects.

Perhaps consider the size and location of offices in each city too. Eg there may be more opportunities for promotion in a larger office, and different commuting time,cost and convenience from areas you might live.

I prefer Leeds but in your position I'd go for Sheffield for transport, decent city living, options for cheap rents, close to peaks and options for higher earning potential. I love Hull and have lived there myself for many years and you can't beat it for affordability... the night life and shopping have improved also.

Good luck OP, sounds like an exciting adventure awaits!

Sheffield!

I've lived in sheff and Leeds so can't fairly judge Hull but from what you've said Sheffield is the best compromise. Cheaper accommodation in nicer areas than Leeds but still with big city facilities. Getting to the peaks is much easier from Sheffield than to the dales from Leeds. Look in the SE of the city, lots of students and young professionals.

Congratulations on the job!

I think in Leeds it can sometimes be a bit deceptive about rent prices. I think the studenty areas are often more expensive than some of the nicer areas. People automatically seem to think of Headingley area, but most of the properties seem to be set up for multiple occupancy. But if you go to places like Bramley, Morley, Yeadon etc you'll be able to find something for £500 easily. From a quick look, even "nice" areas like Roundhay or Horsforth are possible.

Job wise, Leeds undoubtedly has more options. Average weekly salary is £60 more than Sheffield and Hull too.