Talk to me about Wakefield

[Extraslice]

Looking at moving there (currently north Leeds).
I know parts of it but not much.
Can anyone tell me which are the nicer areas?
We have seen a house in Thornes so if you know this area in particular that would be great!
And also opinions on the schools please, primary and secondary.

I live in LS27 and visit the area regularly as go walking and have relatives who live nearby.

Thornes has a lovely big park, don't know about the area, seems quite mixed. The town centre is really run down in parts but there's also a lot of regeneration going on so it might improve over the next few years, especially if Wakefield wins the city of culture nomination, I think it's a strong contender as was recently named as being strong in culture, which I was quite surprised about, but there is a lot going on when you think about it.

Some nice areas and some less so, no idea about schools. Lots of countryside, with very nice looking villages. Outdoorsy activities like Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Newmillerdam, naice farm shops with petting zoos. Also the Barbara Hepworth gallery.

You're only an hour away, take a drive and have a look around. Also think about what travelling/commuting you need to do, as traffic can be awful. But good train links to Leeds and on east coast main line for London, Scotland and anywhere in between.

Thank you @BarbaraofSeville I went to the Hepworth today! We are going back on Monday so will explore the other places you mention!

Wrenthorpe?

I'm not a big fan of Thornes personally. I'd look at Ackworth, Sandal, Walton for quieter areas, or Horbury/Ossett way there is some nice parts. Depends how close to town you want to be and what sort of feel you want. Lots of nice villages on the outskirts. Wakefield town itself is not in its prime but there's enough to get the basics and easy enough to go to white rose or Meadowhall for a bit more variety.

We live in Wakefield and my husband commutes to Leeds City center 5 days a week, doesn't find it an issue and usually takes 20 mins. Most of wakefield is easily commutable because its all so close to the m1. We live in crigglestone which is nice :) far enough from the city centre to not feel too close down to the run down parts, but only about a 10 min drive, right on junction 39 of the m1 so quick to get everywhere. Like a previous poster mentioned, thornes has its nice areas but is also surrounded by a fair few not nice areas. Thornes Park is nice. Budget depending newmillerdam, sandal, places like that are very naice! But there are also more reasonably priced areas within walking distance to these spots.
I can't answer re schools etc because I don't have school age children.

@Mseddy do you know Thornes road??

The problem with thornes road - IMO, is a) Slightly raised crime rate due to all sorts of stuff going on in thornes park after it gets dark - drugs, flashers etc in paper every 5 minutes, it is very very close to the park and that would put me off.
B) busyish main road, next to a high school, at 3-6 it's a bit chaotic
C) no convenient corner shop, would have to drive or walk into lupset for a loaf of bread.

That's my two penneth.

This might help

thornes,Sandal,Newmillerdam,Kirkhamgate,Wrenthorpe,Outwood all fab for commuting, Wakefield city center as mentioned is dire, Wrenthorpe has 2 good primary schools and also 3 good public schools nearby and public transport is ok. There is a new massive development of new houses near to pinderfields hospital that seem popular think the development is called City Fields its huge again ideal for commuting, Thornes wouldnt be my first choice but its ok,There are a lot more family orientated villages with lots going on that might suit better maybe?

I currently live in ls26, on the boarder with Wakefield, but up until 3 years ago I lived I wakefield.

I grew up about a mile or so, from Thornes. My parents still live there.
Honestly, I wouldn't move there. There's a fair bit of crime and anto anti social behaviour. I have a friend who owns a gym in Thornes and they have no ends of problems.

Do you have kids (what ages) and what's your budget?

I would pick, wrenthorpe/brandy carr/outwood/Stanley way before Thornes.

All good for a Leeds commute.

Secondary near Thornes, is cathedral (might not even be called that anymore) but didn't have a great reputation. That could have changed.

There's Outwood Grange (catchment is brandy Carr, wrenthorpe, outdoor, Stanleybut is very over subscribed), which is a decent school. Extremely strict and would not recommend for children with any extra needs. One of the reasons, I picked where I am now and moved out of Wakefield.

Eats Ardsley, would be the one I would recommend most. But its Wakefield postcodes and Leeds Council area. A few decent schools primary and secondary. But you want to be on the side of the village that on Bradford Road. Not the lower end towards Thorpe for good catchment areas. Again, good commute to Leeds.

Eek not looking good for Thornes Road. Glad I asked! But disappointed as the house is perfect and we’ve been looking for months

Yes we have a 3yo and 6 week old.
Max budget of 360k

Would you prefer village or busier? Do you want to be close to motorway? These are the two things that matter as 360k is a great budget for most places except newmillerdam.

@Extraslice

Yes we have a 3yo and 6 week old. Max budget of 360k

With that budget I would go with East Ardsley. But look towards the top end (Bradford Road is the top end) Its a village, but now huge and expanded. Close to the M1. Though you can take Bradford road towards Leeds. Depending where in Leeds the commute is.

I have lived in Stanley, Outwood, wrenthorpe and East Ardsley.

I still know people who live there and everyone lives living there and if they move, just move around the East Ardsely.

The top end has better public transport. Outwood train station isn't too far away, but you would pro a ly have to park and it gets busy.

It has a village primary and a few choices of good secondary.

Village and close to motorway! Commuting to LGI.

Will look at East Ardsley.

Thank you, this is all so helpful. DP thinks I’m looking for reasons not to move there as he would go house over area! To me the area and schools is more important. Rubbish when you see how much more you could get for your money though!

I live practically in Thornes (one of the many newish build estates that are around here!) and it's been fine for us. Not had any issues with antisocial behaviour or crime. Tbh I'm forever forgetting to lock my car and I don't lock the front door when I'm in the house (don't tell the rest of mumsnet)

I walk my dog in Thornes Park or Newmillerdam or a bit further out at Wintersett. All are lovely. Also lots of other bits of greenway you can access.

If I was going to move, I would go a little bit further out to Horbury as it has a more villagey feel and I miss that a bit. Sandal is ok, some of the actual villages are nice but when I looked at stuff the 15 minutes down country lanes just to get to the motorway bothered me, I wanted as short a commute as possible.

The thing that annoys me slightly about Thornes is the lack of Tesco. There's Morrisons, the ASDA and little ASDA, two decent sized Sainsburys all within maybe 8 mins drive. Nearest Tesco is Batley!

For schools, there are a couple of good (at least one outstanding?) primary schools around here. I don't know about high schools but there are the grammars too a bit further away.

I wouldn't live in east ardsley if you paid me. Constant motorway noise.

I know it well and wouldn't want to live there, I would opt for Horbury a few miles up the road.

@SausagePourHomme

I wouldn't live in east ardsley if you paid me. Constant motorway noise.

Not sure I would agree with that. You can't hear the motorway from the top end of the village. Unless you live in the few house that are overlooking the junction 41 roundabout

You could at the bottom end where it over looked it. But it was very quiet and you soon got used to it and didn't notice it.

But definitely something op should pay attention if she looks at houses there.

Sorry op I don't know thornes Road well as I'm not wakefield born and bread. I've lived here about 6 years. Initially right by the Hepworth, lovely estate but so close to town that it caused parking issues. Durkar and crigglestone, both close to green spaces but super easy for commuting due to proximity of m1. Although I don't think many houses ever seem to come up for sale in my area (always having a little nose!)

We drove through Horbury it did look nice

I have friends who live in Thornes. Their house is nice and they don't seem to have any crime problems. The crime figures include the local park and it can attract some anti-social behaviour, especially at night. People cut through it from pubs to various areas and it attracts a lot of teens. It's a nice enough park during the day. My SIL is always taking family to ride the little steam train.

Didn’t realise there was a train, dd loves those!
Hmm.
Maybe we will walk round the park next week and try get a feel for it.

Could do with some more school info if anyone knows 🙏🏻

Where in north Leeds do you live now and where in Wakefield are you looking at ?

Lots of new housing around pontefract and castleford but it ai g moortown or geld how

I'd look at Horbury, Ossett or even South Leeds (LS27 postcode)

LS27 would give you a choice of outstanding schools both at primary and secondary

Wakefield secondaries -hmmmm

I pulled DD out of cathedral academy although it has now changed academy chains so may be better

Can I ask why you are looking at Wakey if you are north Leeds and commuting to LGI?
Seems like an odd fit