Tell me about Leeds

[Redyellowpink]

It's looking likely that I'm moving to Leeds for work at the end of the year and wanted some info. I know there are a few 'moving to Leeds' threads on here but most of them seem to be targeted at families with DC.

I am early 30s, single, no DC. I like independant theatre or cinema, life drawing, arts and crafts workshops, book groups etc. I don't drink but like eating out and nice independent coffee or brunch spots. Will I find much of this in Leeds? Any recommendations? I like walking but dont drive, how easy are the moors to get to without a car? Also, is there much of a rad fem scene in Leeds? What is the dating pool like? (I'm bisexual) How easy is it to make friends (with childless women also in 30s)?

Finally, any areas you would recommend to live? Looking to buy in a few years but renting for now.
I have been living in a small town in the South for the past 5years which i have found boring, I previously lived in Stoke Newington which i loved. How would Leeds compare to either of those?

Lots of questions! Hopefully someone can answer at least a couple.

I went to Uni in Leeds. There's a great gay scene called Queens Court in town, and from a uni experience I had lots of gay/bi friends (was a dancer) so went to lots of various events not just clubs.

If you want to live in town there are all the usual chains and then independents. If you head out towards headingly which is admitted a predominately student area but can get into town in 30 min walk, quick bus or train there are loads of parks and independent cafes restaurants and I think a cinema.

I loved Leeds, loads going on to get involved in as a young professional. I had friends who had graduated and we're working and living in the city and had a great really well rounded time with lots of things to do!

That's really useful, thanks! I'll look into Headingly to live

I think you’d like it a lot. I lived in Leeds for 10 years before having kids and I miss it (moved away 5 years ago for work). The city centre is compact and everything is walkable. I never had a car and got the train up to Ilkley and beyond for country walks. Lots of arty stuff going on. Loads of independent shops, bars, cafes etc especially just outside of town as PP suggested.

Town centre might suit best with no car but public transport is pretty good IME. I didn’t have a car at the time and lived 10 mins walk from the centre and train station. Other areas to look at could be Headingley, Chapel Allerton. Both well served by buses.

We moved in the opposite direction and of course you get a lot more property for your money in Leeds!

Hello 👋
I live in Leeds (moved here just before lockdown as we lost our house due to Covid) and we are now staying put it’s lovely.
I’m 32 and we live by the Leeds Docks it’s the pricey part of Leeds it seems but it’s so pretty a mix of old town and new and the people are really friendly
I’ve been here when all the shops and pubs were open a few years ago too as my mum has a few rentals and it is buzzing!
Let me know if you want showing around

Check out the Bowery for great arty workshops. Agree about chapel allerton and headingley for areas to live. There's loads of great restaurants, I think you'll like it! You can get out to the dales easily enough by train or bus for great walking. I live outside the city, also early 30s pre kids and sometimes wish I was in Leeds itself when I'm getting loads of taxis to get home!

Aww thanks, RLOU30, I might just take you up on that! Sorry you lost your house though

I'd love to live in the town centre but not sure I'll be able to afford it. Is it much pricier than the suburbs?

It's good to know there's transport links to the dales. The countryside where I live atm is beautiful but the transport rubbish

Chapel allerton is nice, plenty of coffee shops/places to eat. Has frequent buses into town too.

Clarence dock as mentioned above is a great place but there are a lot of party apartments- if you're not into drinking and unlucky you could end up with neighbour that parties all weekend.

Theres a great indie cinema in hyde park.
.feel free to pm if you want any more info

I find it still quite cheap but only because I was used to London rents. A one bed Flat In the development I’m in is 700pcm whereas a two bed house in nearby Chapel Allerton would be the same price. There are lots of bus routes to get you where you need to go -frequently.
PM me if you like when your local.

Thanks RLOU, I will do. That is cheap! I'm.used to Southern prices

Headingley is lovely, there are some studenty parts but some really nice places tucked away as well. Also check out Horsforth and Chapel Allerton. I’m from just outside Leeds and I really miss it.

I wouldn't live in Headingley as it is mostly students and a lot of loud rowdy nights most nights. Chapel Allerton is nearby but quite pricey. Hyde park is also very studenty. Horsforth is lovely and very family oriented. I live 5 miles from the centre and takes 10 mins or a train or 30 mins on a bus rush hour times.

You can get a train to Ilkley, Saltaire or Marsden plus other places for walking on the moors. I can't remember if it has a train station, but Hebden Bridge is also in the foothills of the pennines, has great independent cafes, shops etc and is said to have the highest population of lesbians in the UK.

Saltaire is a heritage village with a David Hockney gallery and big bookshop in an old Mill complex.

Lots of great restaurants and street food bars in Leeds.

A lot of the places like Chapel Allerton and Headingley are expensive for Leeds so the city centre might be similar and more convenient for public transport.

Yea think you’ll love Leeds. It’s a great city. I loved on the calls which was really good and quiet considering the central location. When I lived there I went along to WI group even though I was late 20s. It was a more updated WI and I met some really good friends through that. More here www.bunsandroses.co.uk/ You should check out Hyde Park Picture House too. Lots of independents in the city centre too - you’ll love it.

Great info, thanks everyone

Can't really offer any moving tips but just to say my best pal lives in Leeds (in Bramley, which wouldn't be what you are looking for but I think houses are pretty cheap) and I absolutely love going to visit her there. I think it would be a great place to live. Good luck with the move!

Oh Hyde Park Picture House is just beautiful! I used to work in the Corn Exchange in 2003/4, fond memories of all the quirky shops in there

I think you will love it here op. I agree with Chapel Allerton. It’s on a direct bus route in to the city centre which would take you about 10 mins. There’s a brilliant and very arty women’s institute in chapel allerton with loads of women your age. There’s Seven Arts there which is an arts space with really interesting films, live music, dance from all over the world. There’s a restaurant and bar in there too. There’s an independent book shop, fresh fish, cheese, wine and craft shops along with great restaurants, bars, supermarkets and an annual arts festival. There is The Inkwell Arts and sewing group, running clubs, a tennis club and probably lots more things I’m unaware of. Do you like cycling? If so there’s an ebike cycle shop/rental company called Pedego where you can hire a bike and they offer tours such as a wine tasting.

Leeds city centre has a mass of stuff going on. In more normal times if you go to The Leeds List and What’s On in Leeds you’ll find everything you could want and more.

Headingley I wouldn’t recommend even though it’s very near the city centre, on the basis of a very high crime rate and a massive student population that can result in rowdy, messy neighbourhoods.

I don’t think I can come up with a place that sounds more of a fit for you than chapel allerton really. Once you are in the city centre there are good bus, coach and train links. Trains North and South are the most reliable but once you head west or east they can be a dodgy.

I'm a southerner who's lived in Leeds 8 years now. I love it! My life is different to yours (married with kids) but from what you say I think you'd love it too. It's a lively, friendly city. It has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, independent cinemas, lots of great restaurants, bars etc. I live in Headingley (more specifically Far Headingley/Weetwood) and it's great. Headingley itself has some really good restaurants (I rarely go to Leeds City centre to eat as I'm spoilt for choice here). I love walking too and from my house there are several parks and areas of woodland that I can walk to in less than 10 minutes (The Hollies, Meanwood Park, Becketts Park, Batcliffe Wood). Within minutes I'm surrounded by trees, rivers, fields etc. You can get the train to various places in the countryside - Ilkley is nice. You can walk for miles on Ilkley Moor and then have a wander around the pretty town. There are loads of towns/cities you can get to easily by train too such as York, Harrogate, Skipton, Manchester, Sheffield. I'm very happy here. It's a wonderful place to live.

Hyde Park Picture House is amazing for indie cinema; Cottage Road cinema is also old + cool, but more mainstream films. Leeds Playhouse is good for theatre, but places like Home in Manchester are also easy to get to. Places like the Brudenell Social club if you like gigs.

Headingley is very studenty in parts, but quirky and more mixed on the East side of the Otley Road.

Just to add - where we live in Headingley (Far Headingley) it's easy to avoid the students. Only certain areas of Headingley are dominated by students. Lived here for 8 years and never been a victim of crime and don't know anyone who has been. Lots of independent and arty cafes in Headingley. I live just around the corner from Cottage Road Cinema. An independent cinema that's over 100 years old. I don't think Horsforth would suit you. My friend lives there and says it's dull. It's very family oriented and the Tories are always voted in there (apologies to any Tories! For my friend this is a big drawback).