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AIBU?

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Original poster

Advice on moving to Leeds

78 replies

Len4ik777 · 21/03/2018 17:14

Hi, everyone!

New here and this is my first thread as some advice frome people who know/live in Leeds area, please!)

Looking for a rent in a small green town to move in with two kids of a preschool age.

Some of crucial criteria are:

Soft water
Affordable prices to rent 3bed house
Minimum crime and drugs rates
Good primary school and preschool,
Green, friendly and quiet town
Sports, talent activities/classes
Close to shopping and amenities

Moving from Essex, in hope of finding a better place to bring up the kids, with more affordable prices, less urban, with a possibility of settling up a small farm in future.

Please, if any helpful advice you can provide, will be forever grateful! PM me if any questions))

Thanks! smile

OP posts:
Kerantli · 21/03/2018 19:05

Look into the Kirkstall/Bramley area.

there's a few shops around here (small Tesco and large Morrisons, as well as a second morrisons near the ring road, asda is about 15/20 minutes drive away in Pudsey, Boots, Smyths toys, Home Bargains, Iceland food warehouse and others).

There are two primary schools, unsure on one of them, but the other looks nice when we drive past it.

There is the Kirkstall Leisure centre on the main road, as well as Bramley Swimming baths.

And, on a good day, it's 10 minutes from Kirkstall/Bramley in to the middle of the city in the car (but obviously longer in rush hour)

There are also a lot of 3 bed houses to rent near here from what I've seen on rightmove, and from just being in the car.

Sadly it is a hard water area though, so falls down on that point

PNGirl · 21/03/2018 19:07

Wherever you do choose, if at all possible try and avoid a commute that requires a stint on the M62. It's a car park every single day.

Original poster
Len4ik777 · 21/03/2018 19:15

BossWitch

Depends where in Essex and which bit of Harrogate! (I'm originally from Essex and now up here!)

So true, in Brentwood there are dozens of new stuff opening up, boutiques etc., they are for posh people, I presume, never been there ihihi, houses rent prices are cosmic, £1200pcm for the tiny 2bed house with garden, but if take, Romford or Basildon, such a contrast, although they are very close, but still have big shopping centres, and much lower letting prices, but bad drug issues and crime reports(((

OP posts:
jainaproudm · 21/03/2018 19:21

Wetherby? Don't know about the water but it's small, a few nice pubs and restaurants but v quiet, green, good routes into Leeds, and houses seem reasonable enough.

BikeRunSki · 21/03/2018 19:25

Wetherby is not cheap!

BerkInBag · 21/03/2018 19:27

The commute to Leeds from Hebden and Todmorden is dire by road but bearable by train. I used to do it and know lots that still do. The commute into Manchester is much better if that's any use.

Have you looked at Saltaire or Thornton near Bradford?

Also Holmfirth?

MustardCactus · 21/03/2018 19:29

I think you'll struggle with that budget for a your requirements. 'Nice' areas in Leeds aren't cheap at all. We pay £795 for a 2 bed in a nice area with a Bradford postcode!

MustardCactus · 21/03/2018 19:30

I'm in saltaire by the way. It's lovely here and would recommend to anyone but it's pricey to rent. Only 15 mins in to Leeds on the train though and it's a fabulous place.

BikeRunSki · 21/03/2018 19:30

I’ll say it before @HoppingGreen

Look at Lindley in Huddersfield, and the train commute from Huddersfield to Leeds.

Rothwell/Woodlesford might work too in terms of budget.

Hoppinggreen · 21/03/2018 19:32

Huddersfield HD3
Nit sure what our water is like though

Hoppinggreen · 21/03/2018 19:32

Noooooo bike I was literally typing at the same time but you still beat me !!

numptynuts · 21/03/2018 19:33

Regarding commute and closeness to Leeds itself, no special requirements, as my husband will be working there, so the time to get there by car, that's the matter, I guess about 25 min car should be OK distance from the city we live in.

You need to consider that traveling to and through Leeds in rush hour can be an absolute ball ache and you can get nowhere fast in 25 minutes if one thing goes wrong somewhere, it grinds to a halt.

allfurcoatsandnoknickers · 21/03/2018 19:34

Oulton / woodlesford in south Leeds close to m62 and m1 and 15 mins to Leeds city centre on the bus. 20 mins from wakefield. Have the larger town of Rothwell for the big shop. Great sports centre nearby.

ApocalypseNowt · 21/03/2018 19:39

If you want to travel to Leeds in 25 mins at rush hour you basically need to live within a couple of miles of the city centre.

I'm in Roundhay (which is lovely and would tick most of your boxes) but driving at rush hour can take 45 mins to an hour+ on a bad day. We're about 4.5 miles out. I get the bus or walk which is much easier and faster!

MustardCactus · 21/03/2018 19:41

I agree! I used to take me 25 minutes to drive home to Armley from the same side of the city centre Shock

HermioneWeasley · 21/03/2018 19:41

It can take 25 minutes to get out of Leeds city centre

Water in Leeds is soft compared to down south. My relatives always flood by bathroom with foam because they use SE amounts of shower gel to lather up.

I don’t think you’ll get leafy and green, low crime, good schools and 25mins from the city centre with a 3 bed for £700

LoniceraJaponica · 21/03/2018 19:42

I used to live in Guiseley and the commute to Leeds back in the 1980s was more than half an hour. The traffic is much busier these days. I would seriously consider using public transport to get into Leeds because parking will also be an issue, and expensive.
You could look at Pudsey as well.

The water in Leeds is nothing like as hard as the water where you are.

Igottastartthinkingbee · 21/03/2018 19:46

If you look at otley then your husband could still get the train to Leeds (20-25 mins journey) but he’d have to drive 2-3 miles to menston station. My DH used to do that all the time, way better than dealing with rush hour traffic into Leeds.

Original poster
Len4ik777 · 21/03/2018 19:47

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! Will look up each city recommended and hopefully choose one..

OP posts:
Original poster
Len4ik777 · 21/03/2018 19:49

Igottastartthinkingbee

If you look at otley then your husband could still get the train to Leeds (20-25 mins journey) but he’d have to drive 2-3 miles to menston station. My DH used to do that all the time, way better than dealing with rush hour traffic into Leeds.

Thank you. Yeah, but he is working on his own transport, due to the job's nature... So the train not an option.

OP posts:
RainyDayBear · 21/03/2018 19:49

I agree with the other suggestions for north west Leeds, lots of nice towns and villages with good connections to the city. I’d avoid Bradford personally!

Original poster
Len4ik777 · 21/03/2018 19:50

RainyDayBear,

Thanks a lot, will definitely consider that!

OP posts:
RabbityMcRabbit · 21/03/2018 19:51

Horsforth, Yeadon or Rawdon. Avoid South Leeds area.

MrsWooster · 21/03/2018 19:54

Otley, since you can't use the train to commute- it's that bit cheaper as theres no train link. Its a proper little town and its lovely!

MrsWooster · 21/03/2018 19:55

Good schools too - best is up the top of the town, north of the river.

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