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Original poster

Talk to me about living in Whitby please!

67 replies

SeaDreaming · 31/08/2020 19:10

I have just bid on a flat in Whitby with my housing association, on the offchance.

I currently live in Leeds, and have been wanting to move from my current flat for a while. I think I've only had to go into the city centre once since March, so there's nothing essential I'd miss there, and there's nothing especially tying me to here - I'm not working, no kids, no family etc. I wouldn't mind a fresh start somewhere else tbh.

I'd like to know what Whitby is like to live in. Does the tourism drive you nuts? What's public transport like, and shopping (supermarkets, and everything else)?
What's the best and worst things about living there? I visited a few times when I was a teenager but haven't been back since.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Original poster
SeaDreaming · 31/08/2020 19:12

^ I'm not assuming that my bid will be accepted by the way, just wondering in case it is Smile

OP posts:
RevolutionRadio · 31/08/2020 19:29

I don't live there anymore but it gets really busy with tourism, depending where you live you could have trouble parking near where you live if you don't have a drive.

The side of Whitby I lived on had buses in to town every half hour. There were buses to Scarborough and Middlesbrough from town but I can't remember now how often they go.

There is a big co op in town, a Sainsbury's and a Lidl outside of town.

There are a few shops on the new side of town along with the chip shops and arcades and independent shops on the old side.

RevolutionRadio · 31/08/2020 19:33

Best thing was being able to have a tourist day out with out leaving the town.

Worst bit is the lack of proper high street shopping, that did get better though with the Sainsbury's at least being another option for clothes and now also being linked with Argos.

Original poster
SeaDreaming · 31/08/2020 19:56

Thanks, that's really helpful!
Supermarket wise that sounds more than fine. Shopping wise I'm a sucker for charity shops - I've just looked on Google and there's about ten in Whitby, compared with the 2 in town/2 up the road I've got at the minute.
I don't drive, so parking isn't an issue, and public transport sounds reasonable - I forgot to factor in probably not needing it if I'm not going out of town.
Thanks again!

OP posts:
RevolutionRadio · 31/08/2020 20:47

There's lots of charity shops.

There was a couple of taxi companies too which are used to short journeys too.

InsanityRocks · 31/08/2020 21:21

I don't have any knowledge of Whitby, sorry, but I just wanted to say good luck OP, hope you get your house. It's my dream to live by the sea too.

NoWordForFluffy · 31/08/2020 21:36

Watch out for the bonkers seagulls!

Original poster
SeaDreaming · 31/08/2020 22:44

Thanks for the luck!

I'll try remember not to eat any chips on the prom if I get it! Grin

I might have spent most of this evening looking at other things I've thought of. I was a bit disappointed to find out the outdoor swimming pool wasn't a lido, but I can live with that.

There's a fair few allotments (one is right by the abbey!!), which are on my wish list of wherever I end up.

If I wanted to avoid the town centre when it's busy, but still get out the house, are there public paths and spaces along the coastline? Or any other nice places to have an amble and a nice sit down?

I'm not always great with crowds, which I realise could be a problem in tourist season Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
SeaDreaming · 01/09/2020 12:17

I'm not always great with crowds, which I realise could be a problem in tourist season

I had a look at what's been in the local news.

www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/photos-rammed-whitby-seaside-prompts-18852993

Blimey.

The place I'm looking at is just by the west cliff car park - I don't imagine it's going to be ultra quiet... is it just the seafront and town centre that get that packed? Or is it everywhere?

I did wonder why three different Whitby flats popped up this week when I'd never seen anything Whitby advertised before in the 8 years I've been with my HA. I think I might have realised why the sudden exodus Confused

Talk to me about living in Whitby please!
OP posts:
EoinMcLovesCakeJumper · 01/09/2020 15:00

I've never lived there but I am close by, and I visit quite a lot. I would say that the town centre is quite run-down once you get away from the twee bits in the old town. Not to say it isn't a pleasant place, and it's certainly better than the likes of Scarborough, but I don't think it's as naice as the tourist promotion makes out. The charity shops tend to have a lot of stuff from Asda and Primark, for instance.

On the plus side, the Goth festival is probably the most good-natured gathering of its kind, and it's really only the bits of town that are near the sea front that get stupidly busy at the height of summer. There are some lovely independent cafes and shops slightly off the beaten track.

Original poster
SeaDreaming · 01/09/2020 15:18

Thank you, that's reassured me a bit about crowds.

I was wondering about how posh or otherwise everything is, so I'm actually quite glad to hear it's not all 'naice'. In terms of going out for a coffee and stuff, is everywhere £££ , or are there any cheap and cheerful places?

I used to visit Hastings and St Leonard's quite a bit, which definitely had a noticeable division. I loved going in the autumn and winter as well, and really like being by the sea but indoors in miserable weather.

On a practical note, is it fairly easy to get NHS dentists in the area? And in terms of hospitals, am I right in thinking the nearest A&E is either Scarborough or Middlesbrough?

Another question.. I'm sure I've heard somewhere that you can see both sunrise and sunset over the sea at Whitby- is that true?
Going by google earth, the place I'm looking at has the back window facing out to sea, with no buildings that I can see between it and the beach. I'm convincing myself that means a sea view..

OP posts:
Zaphodsotherhead · 01/09/2020 15:20

I also live nearby and I would say beware if you don't drive and have to rely on public transport. The road between Whitby and Pickering is the first to close when the weather gets bad, and if you rely on buses for work that can be tricky.

There is a railway station there though, which helps.

Whitby isn't exactly inundated with nightlife (apart from aforementioned Goth weekends), so just beware that you could get quite lonely and isolated if you are used to living in the city.

Original poster
SeaDreaming · 01/09/2020 15:21

Oh - I forgot about the goth festival! Aways fancied it but never actually gone though.
Even if I don't get this place, I might well have a trip over in the next couple of months and check it out for if anything else comes up in future Smile

Thanks again everyone for your help!

OP posts:
user1471565182 · 01/09/2020 15:36

I find it a bit oppressive and something bad always happens whenever I go there. Dont want to put you off, tbh id probably still go for it but thats just my impression. Ive always lived by the yorkshire coast so dont appreciate it as I should. As others have said, it can also be very isolated but from what I gather has a great community within the town.

user1471565182 · 01/09/2020 15:36

I usually drop my 'most inbred town in Britain' fact when whitby is brought up actually but I dont feel like its very constructive here.

Original poster
SeaDreaming · 01/09/2020 16:06

I used to feel like St Leonard's had a kind of aura of menace, for some reason. Hastings a little bit too, but far less so.

I lived in a village near Glossop in the peak district for a little while, and that definitely was way too isolated for me. There wasn't much in the way of shops, and the few pubs weren't great. It was actually where they filmed League of Gentlemen and I now understand why. Whitby is a lot bigger and busier - I will have a think though about whether I'd feel a bit trapped.

The idea of a good community within the town definitely appeals.

I've just seen there's a therapeutic gardening organisation, which includes ppl with mental health problems - that sounds like something I've accessed in the past and might do again.

I'm not really a massive social animal, I don't drink and my clubbing days are well and truly over - quiet nights are absolutely fine with me.

I assumed that somewhere in Norfolk would win the most inbred town prize (lazy stereotyping, I know) - my eyes have been opened!

OP posts:
Original poster
SeaDreaming · 01/09/2020 16:08

The point about public transport/roads closing and work is really helpful- definitely taking that on board too.

OP posts:
user1471565182 · 01/09/2020 16:10

I really like Scarborough and Filey, have you thought about them? I know you Leeds lot love Bridlington so I can never understand why they dont just go that bit further up the coast to Scarborough. Its a bigger town than Whitby (not far off a city really) and more linked in.

cupofdecaf · 01/09/2020 16:27

I used to live close by and if I could I'd move back. I currently live in Leeds.
Apparently it's very busy this year as people are not going abroad as much.
The walk from the west cliff into town is quite steep but doable assuming you don't have mobility issues or do have an electric scooter.
It's a lovely place to live with the cliff and sea so close by.
I think there's a bus that runs up to Sainsbury's but the Lidl is close to west cliff.
The locals enjoy town in the quieter times so you don't miss out.
If you get the flat I'd say go for it. You'd be mad not to in my view.

NothingIsWrong · 01/09/2020 16:36

I lived in Whitby for a year and it was lovely, I'd move back in a heartbeat.

ncdtoday123 · 01/09/2020 16:56

I think it's a really nice place to live and would be my choice out of the towns in the area. I've got friends who live there. It's a lot nicer than Scarborough. Some bits of the town centre, away from the quaint bits aren't great, as many pps have said - but what town could you find in the country where every single bit is smart? The only thing that could be off putting is how steep some of it is, but you've probably already found that out when walking around before! Hope you find a nice flat there!

EoinMcLovesCakeJumper · 01/09/2020 17:21

Lol at the idea that people in Leeds don't go to Scarborough. As far as I can tell, the entire population of Leeds decamps to the South Bay on a Bank Holiday weekend, by way of the A64! Whitby is further to drive to so I don't think it gets as much attention.

As far as NHS facilities go, yes, I think you'd be looking at Scarborough and Middlesbrough for hospitals. I don't know about dentists, I'm afraid, but I'm sure it's not difficult to find out.

garlictwist · 01/09/2020 18:10

I used to live in a village about 10 mins from Whitby. The only thing I'd say is if you are planning on getting a job there's not a huge amount going.

SeaDreaming · 02/09/2020 17:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nepsa · 02/09/2020 17:24

I prefer Leeds to Whitby, I like the town in Leeds, Whitby is a bit too quiet for my liking, I love Scarborough though which isn't too far from Whitby.