Talk to me about living in Whitby please!

[SeaDreaming]

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!

I'd be looking at a removals company, or a man/van service for all my worldly goods and chattels.

I don't work at the minute (in every sense - I receive PIP and ESA, and am struggling to live with and recover from mental health problems. Remaining in the flat I live in is hindering that. So is staying in Leeds, on reflection).

I have been looking at what community groups are around, both for support if move there, and possible volunteering opportunities. There's more than I expected!

I'm going to get cramp from all the digit crossing.

I live about half an hour from Whitby and lived and worked there about 20 years ago.
I plan to try and move back one day. I loved it, it was obviously different 20 years ago, or more likely what I appreciated about it was the nightclub and boozers !! But I do like visiting there, but generally go this time of year after the crowds have gone home.
There is now an improved bus service between Whitby and east Cleveland too. You've mentioned Clara's - great coffee! And Botham's for a treat. There's the 'spoons for a good deal on grub or a drink and then some really nice independent places too, and a fairly big pound shop.
Sandsend is walkable (and the bus goes there too) and there's a lovely little cafe there too on the sea front.
And if you fancy up market and posh then there's always Raithwaite Hall!
There's some lovely walks, up to the abbey and straight on instead of turning right back to town was one of my favourites, country lanes and fields. Also a walk to sleights is lovely too.
Good luck!

I can't think that I've ever been there at night, but it makes complete sense that it won't be as noisy on the West Cliff as in any part of Leeds! When you're in Whitby for your visit, could you do a few walk-past excursions at different times of the day and evening, just to see what the general vibe is like?

That's a really good idea, @EoinMcLovesCakeJumper . The place I've booked to stay at is maybe 200m away from the flat I'm looking at, so pottering missions are definitely possible.

I've realised I've not been away anywhere for almost ten years - I am so looking forward to visiting if I can. I am really conscious about the Covid situation and Whitby residents being put at more risk by visitors at the moment though, and Leeds is looking a bit on-the-verge-of-local-lockdown as far as I know. It's all cancellable or rearrangeable though.

I've found a community growing scheme for food banks, which looks amazing. I've also seen there was also talk of starting up a community fridge scheme last year; that's definitely something I would like to be involved in. I find it really hard to take part in stuff like this in leeds because there's a few specific people I can't cope with being around, and they tend to be involved in every voluntary thing I'd like to join.

I realise I'm just creating my own barriers/it's avoidant behaviour, but the idea of living somewhere where it's not even an issue (or at least not an issue unIess they all move to Whitby too, or I make new local enemies ) really appeals.

And thank you all for the luck and advice! Thoroughly looking forward to a seafront coffee and sea/sky staring session

Don't forget to go to the Lucky Duck shop and get yourself a duck.

@BradTomby

Don't forget to go to the Lucky Duck shop and get yourself a duck.

Absolutely! I got a weather predicting one about 25 years ago and lost it somewhere down the line. It needs replacing.

Mission accomplished- I am the proud owner of a lucky duck again.

James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough is very good imo. I've had various family members in there for different things and all have been very well looked after.

My brother has a holiday place there it's lovely but can get busy but as people said parking is a challenge but fortunately his place has a driveway to park on.

The people are always nice tho and there's some lovely independent shops.

Would you be working thereor commuting?

I dont think I got the flat, going by the radio silence since i bid on it. I still came on holiday though and I'm SO glad I did.

Workwise, I'm not working.
I'm currently getting some qualifications with a view to going into support work in mental health or housing when I'm well enough - I haven't got any high flying ambitions or anything, and I think (hope?) there are jobs locally for that kind of stuff..
I've done shop work in a former life, and could do it again at a push, and I've got an ok PA/admin work history, save the gap of x years since my last breakdown and total failure to recover.

My support worker has written a letter giving cast iron reasons as to why moving to anywhere but West Yorkshire would be beneficial, so if it gets accepted by N Yorks housing, I'll have opportunities to apply for a bigger pool of housing up here.

The last two days here I've felt really safe, and spent more time outside my own four walls than I have in years, without any panic. This doesn't ever happen

The possibility of starting somewhere with absolutely no connections to previous trauma (be it places or people) is giving me a bit of hope that I'm not going to be mentally stuck for the rest of my life; the idea that it could be here is making me ridiculously happy.

Best best best bits so far have been watching sunrise and sunset; running bellowing into the wind down an empty beach; seeing dolphins on a boat trip surrounded by blokes dressed as Jack Sparrow, and having a really nice natter with the woman behind the counter at the Whitby Bookshop about the 70s and Women's Liberation links with the town.

If I don't end up moving here, then at least I have a new favourite holiday destination, know that I can manage to get myself here and back (from Leeds, at least. I'm dead proud of myself - I've only managed to leave W Yorks twice in the last six years), and have rediscovered what it's like to be somewhere without being so scared of the outside world. It's ridiculous.

Thank you Whitby for the break, unintentional therapy, and what I'd describe as a very welcome holiday from my brain x

I think I was worried about hospitals because in the past I've been discharged from a&e in the wee hours with no cash or cards on me, and walking home wasn't good or especially safe. Getting from Boro to Whitby in the same circumstances would be impossible. Being more organised and less a&e prone would probably help too, mind.

In terms of health screening stuff I have done regularly, it all seems to be available locally, so that's not a concern.

If you haven't got it, that's a shame, but I'm glad you enjoyed your break. I was born in Leeds - don't live there now - but make a trek to Whitby once a year at least, and really look forward to it. I find the more central bits of Leeds eye-openingly expensive now, but really like Whitby, think you can certainly get a cheap cuppa and a friendly reception, and love to be there. I was also recommended Runswick Bay by locals (and liked Boggle Hole, there is the most wonderful youth hostel there, although without own transport it's quite hidden away) if you fancy another beach and a change.

If you haven't got it, that's a shame, but I'm glad you enjoyed your break. I was born in Leeds - don't live there now - but make a trek to Whitby once a year at least, and really look forward to it. I find the more central bits of Leeds eye-openingly expensive now, but really like Whitby, think you can certainly get a cheap cuppa and a friendly reception, and love to be there. I was also recommended Runswick Bay by locals (and liked Boggle Hole, there is the most wonderful youth hostel there, although without own transport it's quite hidden away) if you fancy another beach and a change.

Just read the whole thread in one go, it's so lovely to read about your holiday/recce visit. You sound about a zillion times more relaxed. And even if you don't get this flat, at least now you have somewhere you can go, and somewhere to aim for. Can you sort of register an interest with your ha for any future flats in Whitby, or doesn't it work like that? I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

Where did you stay in Whitby?

I stayed up on West Cliff in a guest house just between the Royal hotel and Royal Crescent. It was absolutely lovely and I'm definitely staying there again in future.

Boggle hole sounds like my cup of tea. I meant to hire a bike this time but didn't fit it in - it's on the list for next time

My HA normally only take nominations directly from North Yorkshire's council/social housing bidding people, for anything in N Yorks, unless they make an exception again in the future.

I've already been rejected from the North Yorkshire register, so I've another week and a bit to appeal/try convince the housing register up there to take me on, otherwise I'm stuck in W Yorks - social housing wise, at least. Private affordable one bedroom places seem to be a bit scarce up Whitby, so I guess it's all about patience and not relying on it to happen.

Thanks again for the luck getting there, one way or another!