Moving to Harrogate/ York?

[Darksideofthemoon19]

Husband has been offered work up there and we are debating if we should move or not.

We currently live in an expensive part of the midlands. House prices are ridiculous and we live in a small 3 bedroom house with no chance of up sizing here for many years.

We have 3dc age 3,10,12. It’s the 12dd I feel bad for taking her out of her new secondary school. We live in a nice “posh” area, we have friends, the kids are happy etc.

The thought of moving makes me feel sick. I won’t know a single person. No idea what’s there for children etc.

Would like a nice area to live in, an old house with traditional features unlike the new house we currently live in.

Where do you recommend moving too?

Best schools for primary and secondary? Pre schools? Transport?

I don’t know what’s for the best ☹️

We think we would have more money as living costs would be cheaper?

York...without a doubt.Fab schools ,,excellent transport links and lovely surrounding villages.Lots to do on a weekend and a million and one activities if you want them.If you can put up with the tourists then you could do much worse than York,Having said that Harrogate is lovely but I think pound for pound York is so much better value.

I wouldn’t assume you will have lots more money- Harrogate/York aren’t cheap places to live. Can you go up for a weekend to get a feel for the area?

Both lovely places but definitely not cheap!

Harrogate has excellent schools but very competitive and over subscribed. House prices are crazy and the town centre while lovely and picturesque is struggling.
I grew up there but couldn't afford to stay.

Harrogate and York both expensive, particularly areas with good schooIs I know - i’m looking to move back

I thought that too about living costs being cheaper up here! Sadly not I fear...My husband moved here from the midlands to Leeds and thought up north would be cheaper too! How very wrong he was! He thought mill towns.flat caps and farmers...he soon found harvey nicholls and michellin starred restaurants and endless nightlife and culture! You need to come and research OP ..a few weekends with the kids and i am sure you could find something /somewhere suitable.

Thanks all!

We’ve been york a few times and love it, we are going Harrogate in December.

Looking at houses it’s roughly the same sort of price house wise but round here it’s a lot of brand new houses.

York is a unversity city, so most 'affordable' housing has been turned into student houses. Think not just about you buying housing as a moving couple, but about your DC being able to afford to buy when they grow up, if they want to stay close to home.

Harrogate likewise, is seen as very 'posh' and expensive. Both York and Harrogate have 'affordable' parts, but they might not be places you necessarily want to be. Please don't think that North = cheap.

Depending on where abouts your husband would be working, you may want to consider the smaller settlements in North Yorkshire, such as Northallerton, Malton, Ripon and Thirsk.

You could try Wetherby or one of the villages around it? Basically, if you're somewhere in the triangle between Leeds, Harrogate and York, you're in a great place for family life. If you opt for somewhere a bit smaller, check for a decent bus service so that your kids can be independent before they can drive. Lovely area to live x

You're definitely trading up going from the Midlands to North Yorkshire!

Thirsk is lovely, has some affordable properties and has a railway station! The public transport network around N Yorks is pretty dire, so for your children you may need to be in a largeish town.

I live in Scarborough which is about 40 mins from York and I would move to york in a heartbeat, I love it and go through all the time for shopping etc, it's one of my all time fave places and I would love to live there

Husband would be working in York, at the actual train station so anywhere that has a train to there would be good. I don’t currently drive so would prefer things within walking/bus distance. We currently live in a market town that is 50min train ride to London which has caused house prices to rocket as people live here and work there.

I love York, wouldn’t mind just being outside of the main area.

I love the playgroups me and Dd go too, so would love something like that.

I live in Harrogate so I'd be happy to meet for a cuppa perhaps?

I know of some schools which aren't oversubscribed in the slightest! Crying out for pupils in fact and they're both actually in the top 5 schools in North Yorkshire

Harrogate to York on train is direct. Takes 40-ish minutes

York and Harrogate are beautiful and fab places to live. The people are amazing and you will easily make friends.
Neither place is cheap to buy though as it is part of the 'golden triangle'.

I also suggest Knaresborough. It's on the way between Harrogate & York and has a train station. It's on the right of the Viaduct in this picture actually. As you can see, Knaresborough is stunning and cheaper than Harrogate

Knaresborough to York on train is 25 mins

Where in the Midlands can you get to London in 50 mins? I'm curious.

Sorry, it’s an hour and 10. 🙈 never actually done it 😂 it’s a straight route and no changes so I think that’s why.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84388514.html

What’s the area around here like?

I prefer York to Harrogate. It's got that mix of history & vibrancy as a university city. As non-driver I think you would find transport in & around York better.

Basically, if you're somewhere in the triangle between Leeds, Harrogate and York, you're in a great place for family life

Also known as the 'Golden Triangle' and pretty much the most expensive area for property outside the south east.

That's a lovely house you've linked to, but I don't know anything about the area.

I was working up those ways a couple of weeks ago, colne and skipton are absolutely beautiful!!!