If you moved to York…

[toomanyducks]

…how did it go?

Me, my DH and our DD(5) are considering a move to York from a small university city in the South.

We adore West and North Yorkshire and my DH has family connections in the area. We visit often. We have jobs that are completely movable.

We like where we live, but we’re an outdoorsy family and find the options for where to go within a reasonable distance of where we currently are to be really limited and uninspiring.

My concern is that where we live is fine and perfectly pleasant. It feels a little bit of a gamble to give up pleasant and boring to chase something more. Although that more could be a much richer life that is far better suited to us!

If you have made a similar move, I’d be so grateful if you could share how it went for you?!

I like this comment :D

Why is being 'flat' a reason to avoid an area? I lived near York for 17 years (born Beverley); now live in the Lake District and miss the East Riding, the wolds, the moors and access to lovely sandy beaches. I say the fells stop you seeing the view!

Guess it's all preference though isn't it? If you have the option. I currently live in the South West. I love the hills and variety in the skyline. I grew up in Wales with the beach ahead and mountains to my back. Felt like the best of both worlds. We're imminently moving to the East Riding, and whilst I'm super excited for a lot of reasons, the landscape doesn't thrill me like it does in areas with big hills etc.

So maybe for the OP it's a criteria that's higher up the list. Just a personal opinion.

I would live in York if I could, hen parties aside. It's not actually as flat as you think it is though I agree the surrounding countryside isn't that exciting.

It's well connected so easy to get to other places.

Thank you to everyone for your replies. A good variety of opinions, but nothing that worries me (especially as we live near a very touristy place and so am used to it!). @VegTrug Your enthusiasm is infectious!

Thanks also for the suggestions of other places. We’ve settled on York for its commuter (occasional) possibilities and also the schools.

No offence to anyone who loves the flatness - we just prefer the hills, especially as we love walking and mountain biking!

Good to hear your opinion on St Peter’s @GameOfJones as that’s where we’re looking!

If you need any help OP, as you move through the process, just shout!

I wouldn’t bother with Halifax 🤣 (sorry anyone who lives there). York is lovely and not too far from the coast. Decent schools. Lots of tourists in the town centre but not in the residential areas.

I would advise you to consider that your perception may be very different to others. Whilst advice may be very well meaning I find a lot of the complaints about York from locals, whilst not incorrect, don’t compare here to other places accurately.

‘it’s full of students’ - yes it is but so are lots of places, Bristol, Oxford, Leeds, Manchester…it’s very comparable.
‘it’s full of tourists’ - yes, just like a lot of beautiful English cities are. It’s an absolute drop in the ocean compared to London or Manchester!
‘traffic is a nightmare’ - yes, of course it is, it’s a very old city that wasn’t built for thousands of cars trying to commute through it! It’s very comparable to other cities of a similar age and history, and it’s a huge amount easier than some of the bigger cities to drive around, less sneaky bus lanes for starters!

It’s a nice place to live. I would suggest looking at somewhere on the outskirts like Huntington, haxby or Dunnington, all good secondary catchments and very strong transport links to city centre in a short time!

Have you considered Knaresborough or Harrogate? Very beautiful, good transport links, more interesting countryside closer, slightly less crowded

We moved just outside York to a lovely village close to the A1. We love it. Easy to get to York Harrogate and Leeds and not far from lovely market towns like Ripon and Thirsk and an hour from coast. Our children go to Cundall Manor a fabulous independent school just off the A1 so an easy commute. So glad we made the move. X

@Meggy123 We actually looked at Cundall Manor! The grounds are fabulous aren’t they?!

@ethelredonagoodday Thats so kind of you - thank you!

@Thehonestbadger (love that username!) I have been suspecting that’s exactly the case. I’ve lived in lots of places (two of which you mention) and everyone claims to have the worst traffic etc. Thanks for the positive input!

To those who suggested Harrogate etc, that could potentially be a good call, but we’re trying to find a similar school to the one that DD is currently at and St Peter’s seems to fit the bill. We need to be easily accessible to there.

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and input - really helpful!

When are you thinking of moving, OP?

Few places are thought to be fair, York must be one of the top tourist destinations in the U.K.

Traffic is ok in York.
Issues are the ring road at rush hour, race day - around the race course and if there is an accident on the A64, then it can cause chaos elsewhere.

Born and raised in York, grew up in a village that has been mentioned. Moved just a bit further north (border of North Yorkshire and Co Durham) 13 years ago. Wouldn't move back.

I just don't get the appeal of it TBH, but I think that's because I grew up there so the magic that everyone sees I just don't.

We're considering a move to Leeds in a few years (once the DCs have finished school)

@NottsNora No set date, but sooner rather than later. Within the constraints of school terms and work projects.