I just found this and am surprisingly feeling very defensive if my little patch.
I love midway between Whitby and Pickering and am
a forriner. So NOT local and not very well supported (unles you count DH's rather 'difficult' family.
YES! It is under resourced
YES! It is deprived
YES! It is in the middle if bloody nowhere and
YES! I'd live closer to York if I could (not Scarborough, now that is a real bloody dump)
But, the North York Moors are beautiful, there is a lot of outdoor activity. If you live on the NYRM (Pickering is) you qualify for a residents permit in the steam train which allows you to travel FOC on a specified day every week (Monday for us). The primaries are not bad (OFSTED isn't bloody everything, ask anyone that really knows their stuff). It is also really not expensive compared to Down South.
Yes, a 4 bed detached house will set you back around £280k bit compare that to prices in the Home Counties and it's a massive bargain. You'll never struggle to see your GP on the same day. FACT.
By all means, don't move here, but Pickering is no worse than many other rural locations and a damn side better than many.
And honestly? If I did it all over again? I'd insist on York proper, either within the city walls or just outside. It is a lot more expensive than living out in the sticks but at least you can walk to the train that'll take you to London in 2hrs