To want to move up North in my situation?

[Barefootsummers]

We have 2 children and would love a bigger family. We currently live in the south east in our own home which is a small 2/3 bed flat with no garden. Up North we could afford a detached house with small amount of land (550k). Thinking West Yorkshire. I love the countryside and this lifestyle rather than fancy restaurants / boutiques etc. We could work in similar jobs up North. It's a no brainer for me but my DH is not convinced. His reasons against are that the housing market is always secure in the south east, schooling is better and it affords more opportunity. I guess I'm not looking for anyone to tell me what I should or shouldn't do but just need some perspective on this. Anyone? Thanks in advance!

[stevie69]

If you move up north be very selective. Almost all cities/towns and a lot of villages are extremely depressing.

AAAAAGH. What absolute shite!!!!

[Lucysky2017]

Villages are lovely up North! I am frmo the NE and parts of Northumberland are some of the most beautiful parts of the UK and the beaches, but keep it secret. The isolated ones where hardly anyone goes and does not know about I would like to keep secret.

[SunsetBeetch]

Northumberland is beautiful! As are Teesdale and Weardale, also in the NE. Definitely more green than grey

[PickAChew]

Just been drooling at this one on Rightmove. After we'd removed the filters for houses we can actually afford :o

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68150702.html

[Lucysky2017]

Or this £1.4m, Otterburn Castle - they could live in a large part of it and use the rest as the existing hotel. 32 acres. Lake. Stream.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61254133.html

[Ifailed]

It also has a tram system
Croydon has trams. Wouldn't recommend anyone moved there on that basis.

[BR62Y]

I would choose North Yorkshire over West Yorkshire. The areas around Harrogate are lovely.

[OrangeFluff]

West Midlands for me- North Worcestershire. Within half an hours commute to Birmingham for jobs and entertainment, yet surrounded by beautiful countryside. Reasonable house prices. Some lovely market towns and villages (depending on what you want). Great access to motorways and easy travel to London. The weather is decent, tend to get a bit of everything without any of the extremes.

[MargaretTwatyer]

I did it in 2003. I miss the weather down south but our standard of living is about a million percent better up here.

[BarbaraofSevillle]

It also has a tram system
Croydon has trams. Wouldn't recommend anyone moved there on that basis

It is an advantage over Leeds, the largest city in Europe without trams or similar.

[LoniceraJaponica]

I prefer Leeds to Sheffield, but I agree it needs trams and a park and ride system. I lived in Leeds for 17 years and now live near Sheffield.

[Ifailed]

BarbaraofSevillle Looked up on Wikipedia, and was V surprised how large, population-wise, Leeds is. Much larger than Manchester that some claim is England's 2nd city.

[Crispsheets]

I'm allergic to sun so the North suits me fine

[VinoTime]

I hate seeing all the North bashing. Like countryside, beautiful scenery, less people, cleaner air and water, friendly attitudes, good schools and universities, affordable housing and affordable living are bad things

Boggles the mind!

OP I'm in Scotland, so probably much further north than you're wanting to go. But I can tell you, apart from the weather being less sunny, it is bloody marvellous. I moved about quite a bit growing up. I landed in Scotland a few years ago when I had my DD. I have never regretted it. It's not perfect, but no place is. Prior to Scotland, I was in the north of England. Prior to that, we were in the south. I can put my hand on my heart and say there is no contest when it comes to the standard of living, not for me. North pegs it every time.

[Lucysky2017]

I find it really weird! Some people even think everyone in the North is badly off (I went to day school with Lady XYZ in a private school in the North - we are just as mixed in terms of class and income in the North as anywhere else). I live in outer London now but I would never criticise the North. Mind you it's good if people keep away from it so it can stay peaceful and beautiful.

[LynseyLou1982]

Hi,

Come up North ! I may be biased as I'm Yorkshire born and bred. I live in Leeds and it's an amazing city. There's always something going on and new shops/bars etc. opening all the time. The outlaying suburbs are good too if you know where to go. Chapel Allerton , Roundhay, Alwoodley, Horsforth etc. Also it's only a few minutes drive from Leeds to amazing countryside.

[spacepoodle]

Hi lovely Sheffield MNers!
I have s good friend in Sheffield but want to join a couple of baby groups (I have an almost 1 year old) to get to know a few more people. If you can recommend any please PM me.
Sorry to hijack the thread

[SingingSands]

I moved to North Leeds quite by accident and I bloody love it.

I'd never move south now.

I have a 10 min train commute to work in the city centre, or a 20 minute cycle if I'm feeling energetic. Kids are in excellent (outstanding) schools, the countryside is on our doorstep and we are about to buy a 5 bed house with river and woodland behind it for £335k.

Easy train commute to London and Edinburgh for work once a month.

C'mon up to the North!