North Yorkshire vs West Sussex

[Twopoodlesarebetterthanone]

I'm planning on relocating from Jersey next year. Budget for a house to be mortgage free is 425k for a 3 bed (or 2 bed with extra reception). One of my sons needs post 16 SEN provision so am looking at Chichester college, York College or possibly Eastleigh College.

I'm looking for a place to settle permanently with my son that has a safe and friendly community feel for us both with good off lead dog walks and trail running and biking from the door and nearby culture relatively accessible.

Given these options where would you choose?

Value for money, you're probably better off with Yorkshire. West Sussex can be very pricey (I have lived in both).

This is Harrogate where I live. Have posted an image of Knaresborough above. Happy to answer any questions about either

Plenty of off road running in Harrogate and surrounding areas. Loads of woodland parks etc too and the Valley Gardens in the centre of Harrogate is perfect

@Jorvik1978 wow

www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

This place is fabulous! You'll need a couple days free to see it all but the best bits are that it's FREE! And it's right next door to the railway station and there's a connecting bridge & pathway into the museum.

Meanwhile they have a great YouTube channel!

@SchoolTripDrama love the pics thanks
-you. Harrogate, York and Knaresborough are all very photogenic!!

We are planning a recce up to North Yorkshire in April - train museum definitely on the list of things to do. Also North Yorks Railway!!

My vote North Yorkshire ! I live in Sussex and want to move up north in the next 10 years - property prices are ridiculous down here -

@Four4me that's good to hear I have had a look at the pathways course for my son. Is there much going on for SEN young people socially in the area do you know?

@tillyandmilly @GreenFingersWouldBeHandy
but what about the climate comparatively?

Gosh I grew up in Yorkshire and now live in the SE. I'd far rather live in the SE, because the weather is so much better. Warmer and sunnier and drier.

Chichester is lovely and feels really open and generous- I love York but it feels cramped in comparison plus there are a lot more tourists in Ye Cittie of Yorke.

If you do go for York, check out the flooding risks before you buy as it does flood relatively often there.

I live in a little village outside York. It’s a lovely city. Outwood Easingwold sixth form is the highest performing in the county but very small and supportive. About 30 mins on a bus from York. Lots to do around York and infinite days out to the coast/moors/dales within 1 hour. I love visiting family and friends in Sussex and it is beautiful. I think around York actually has really good weather. It is colder in the winter but much drier than the West of the country. My sister is thinking of moving from Sussexxto West Yorkshire and I am seriously worried about her coping with the weather in the Pennines. My only downside is the actual countryside directly around York is pretty flat—and also house prices in some parts of York/North Yorkshire are pricey. It is friendly here though. I’ve been here a year and just had a baby..all my neighbours brought presents around. When I drive to the village school literally every single person waves at me..it feels like a community

My DS2 was well supported at Chichester College with SEN and is now at uni.

The South Downs are beautiful for trail running but are more 'tidy' than Yorkshire iyswim. Yorkshire is rugged and stunning, the South Downs have sea views and are very polite!

Lots going on if you're based near Chichester with Brighton, Portsmouth and London a train ride away. Buses are good. Good range of activities and entertainment, always something going on.

I've lived in both and they are both fabulous. The south is warmer if that's what you're used to and we really made the most of the sea. There are loads of trails for walking and riding on the South Downs so I'm guessing they can be used for running too. For me, the landscape in North Yorkshire is unbeatable so it depends what you love I guess. I'd visit both and get a feel for them.

Argh they both sound nice and have lots of pro's

Yes @IScreamMonday I need to spend some
time in both it is a big decision.

I am used to comparatively warm weather and seascapes so the idea of the South Downs feels more familiar somehow, but I love the sound of the community feel in York and around.

I live in W Sussex near Chichester. The college is good, the countryside is lovely, the beaches are nothing like those in Jersey as most are stony, housing is expensive and the traffic along the A27 is horrendous. Unless you live in an area where your son can take train or bus to college you will spend hours sitting in traffic. Shopping is poor, Chi has very little to offer in way of major stores or retail outlets. I have never been to Yorkshire so can't compare.

but what about the climate comparatively?

Well, it's the UK. It's cold in winter and slightly less cold in the summer. Sometimes even hot for a couple of days.

Bit snowy this morning and sunny this afternoon.

Watch weather forecasts and do your own research. Climate change is happening so I can't predict what it will be like.

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy yeah i work in climate change so realise that thanks

For the train enthusiast, in West Sussex there is Amberley Museum, lovely place, although I would imagine may not compare to the railway museum in York

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy Actually no snow in West Sussex yesterday (costal areas at least!). It rarely snows. And often warm dry summers.
OP I imagine West Sussex is more similar in climate to Jersey than Yorkshire is. I like Chichester, it has the beautiful sandy beaches at West Witterings. And I love the South Downs. I haven’t been to North Yorkshire but the landscape sounds beautiful from some of these posts. I think visit both and go from there!

This might be good. Short train ride from Southborne to Chichester for college, walk to the Harbour, bus routes etc

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131979524

I live in York, the weather is fine and because we're in a vale we tend to miss the worst of the weather (snow)
DSis is a support worker at York college, great college!
Lovely surrounding areas and like pp said we're not far from Bridlington, Scarborough, Filey etc.
10 minutes in a car and your in the countryside.
You'll get more house for your money but Harrogate and knaresborough are expensive, look at York suburbs.

I'd go for somewhere like Malton. It's on a York College bus route. Close to the Wolds (my favourite) and North York Moors, both great for walking. Not too far to the coast. Also, train into York/Leeds/Manchester etc.
It's also close to the North York Moors Railway in Pickering if he's into trains. There may also be volunteering opportunities there, if you wanted to go with him if he'd need additional help.