Harrogate or York??!

[Absofrigginlootly]

DH is hopefully going to be working just south of Leeds and we will be relocating from the states back to the uk this summer,

Nothing finalized yet so it may all fall through but anyway we need to be researching and deciding on potential areas to live.

We are wanting a picturesque village just outside (maybe up to 10 miles) out of the city. With access to good primary and secondary schools. We have a sizable housing budget so that's probably not a concern either.

We are southerners so don't know the area well....

Northern MNers... would you vote for harrogate or York??

Do you know of any beautiful country villages in either area (I like the look of Sutton on the forest outside york for example)

Any advice MUCH appreciated... Thanks!

Abso - Maybe the commute time showing on Google is same length of time at whatever time you put in because it's a weekend right now. If you did it on a weekday it would possibly be different (just a thought. I'm not good on technology!)

No i put a Monday at around 5-5.30pm....? I hate technology too!!

Thanks for all the suggestions.... very helpful. York seems to be winning on votes so far!

It's showing 50 minutes from my location just south of Leeds to someone I know who lives near the centre of York but that's right now with light traffic.

If you like city life, why not consider Leeds? Just a thought.

I lived in York for three years and while it's a nice place, I probably choose Harrogate as it is more classy and has a really good secondary. And a lovely Bettys, plus Harrogate Roman Baths. Im not a fan of the hen parties in York city or the end less theme park feel to the place.

Commuting from York or Harrogate to south of Leeds will be hellish. I really would not recommend it on a daily basis. I do about 10 miles south of Leeds to York about twice a month, and the journey is never nice, and rarely less than an hour. And the traffic is always worse going the other way!

There are quaint villages south of Leeds. If you want to consider this possibility, try looking around Holmfirth and Honley.

York! We have moved 30 mins away and I love it. Harrogate has always felt a bit too posh for me

Although if I had to choose between York or Harrogate, i’d go for York every time. Harrogate is all fur coat and no knickers. There’s a bit more depth to York - watch out for flood zones though.

A close friend had a similar dilemma, looking at the same places. She met someone who suggested Otley. Not on her radar at all. She checked it out and loved it.

I commuted 72 miles a day to Harrogate for 2 years - the first 65 miles were fine but the last 7 into Harrogate were Hellish. Don't do it - York is lovely. Though Boston Spa is a gorgeous little place, very chichi

Thinking about this, you might like Otley and Ilkley, although, again, any commute that involves travelling from north to south of Leeds is never going to be nice.

I have commuted to Harrogate from York, and now Bradford from York, the commute to Harrogate - 45 mins to an hour, commute to Bradford from York - 1.5 hours (but so much better and it's a lot further!). I don't think that helps, but the roads out of Harrogate are hellish if something has happened. If I worked in leeds, I would get the train. collingham (near Wetherby) is a nice commuter village.

Can you tell us where your DH’s office could be?

I’d recommend Fulford in York

• Not too far from York and easy access to the A64;
• Good schools;
• If you want to walk to town you can take a picturesque 30 minute walk by the river (I really miss this walk, the Victorians used to pay to walk there it’s so pretty).

Make sure that you don’t pick somewhere too near the river though as flooding can be a problem.

I live in Knaresborough, just outside Harrogate and have lived in Harrogate. Prefer Knaresborough - great schools, lovely small town feel - very good community spirit I didn't get in Harrogate. And right next to the A1. I work in Leeds and Husband in Bradford. Takes me about 45mins

I’m originally from Harrogate, my DH from York and we both work in Leeds. We moved from York to a village near Leeds 3 years ago as the commute was a bugger, and the south side of York (Bishopthorpe/Copmanthorpe etc) was too pricey for us. I’d suggest looking at Boston Spa, Wetherby, Collingham. Or Tadcaster/Sherburn in Elmet/Garforth for v good primary and secondary schools.

Strensall

What about between Leeds and Wakefield, there are some nice villages round there and would be loads quicker to get to work, I would hate to have a DH who's out for 12+hours a day!

West Bretton, where the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is, is very nice.

York!
Harrogate is too cliquey and has less shops.

Have a look at a place called Boroughbridge! It's lovely, Close to York and Harrogate, but just off the junction for the A1 perfect for getting to Leeds.

I’m strangely over invested in this thread. Do let me know OP where you decide in the end and I may turn up on your doorstep with some freshly baked Parkin!

I would hate to have a DH who's out for 12+hours a day!

The commute isn't the defining factor in that thought. He currently works 15 minutes up the road and it still gone from 5am-6pm every day (or away for several days when traveling for work).... ''Tis just the reality of his career

Knaresborough! And if you do move there please can I come and live with you?!

thanks MrsGrindah!