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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Leaving London

314 replies

siwel123 · 19/05/2018 23:21

Hi all, don't shoot I know there's life outside of London Grin.
Me, my wife and 2 kids currently live in London and the wife has finally agreed to start looking at other places to live but as were both civil servants we have a limited range of places to choose from.

The options we've been given are Leeds or Manchester. AIBU to ask which would you choose and Why? And also what areas would you live in. We would have a 500k budget for the house so any suggestions appreciated.

OP posts:
Furano · 21/05/2018 16:10

*and I like

nursy1 · 21/05/2018 16:10

oakam
I’m not sure I recognise that picture. My dd and her DH commute daily into Leeds from Ilkley as do many around them. She hasn’t reported any problems to me. All the villages around us have a steady stream of people going to the station in the morning. Many of the jobs around here are in Leeds or Bradford. Some commute by car but it wouldn’t be for me as can take up to an hour rather than a half hour/ 20 minutes train journey.

x2boys · 21/05/2018 16:14

everybody always talks about south Manchester, I'm.from Bury the property's are cheaper good metro links, and nice scenery, well ramsbottom etc.has lovely scenery.

nursy1 · 21/05/2018 16:15

furano.
I’d find a walk/train/ bus commute hugely annoying

Yes. I only suggested bus because that walk back to the house I posted is 20 mins + up a steep hill. Might not feel like that after a full on day but on the other hand, would keep you fit.

WaitingforToto · 21/05/2018 16:24

Leeds every time. I temporarily moved here 14 years ago and never left. I grew up with Manchester as my nearest city but I find Leeds so much more friendly, cleaner, greener, and the weather is so much better too! I live in North Leeds (Scarcroft/Shadwell area) and its great - feels very rural but only a few miles from the city centre. close to Harrogate and Wetherby too so lots of places to explore, its great for families. Also only a short drive from here to the Dales - it really is the best of all worlds!

BarbaraofSevillle · 21/05/2018 16:26

You need to sorta stop thinking in London terms of how to choose somewhere to live, as very few professional families live within the parameters of the actual city councils where they work in the North

Well that probably comes as a surprise to the residents of Horsforth, Cookridge, Chapel Allerton, Headingley, West Park etc. You know, the kind of neighbourhoods where you need a decent income or two to be able to afford.

BarbaraofSevillle · 21/05/2018 16:30

OP, Adel hasn't been mentioned yet, that's another nice area, if as a professional family you could manage to stoop so low as to live within the Leeds City boundary.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64610050.html

On second thoughts, Adel might be out of budget, but here is a hell of a refurb project.

NancyBlackettsRedCap · 21/05/2018 16:30

Menston, very near the station.

122, Main Street, LS29
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72668108.html

Furano · 21/05/2018 16:32

I am laughing at the idea that inside the city boundaries is a 100% helllhole of urban deprivation and all the naice MC families fleeing to the safe villages.

BarbaraofSevillle · 21/05/2018 16:35

Furano

Well they do make you pick quinoa, avocado and kale out of a line up before they let you outside the outer ring road.

SylvieBelle · 21/05/2018 16:35

I know 'professional' families who live in all areas of Leeds Hmm Armley, Wortley, Horsforth, Headingley, Meanwood, Yeadon etc. What a bizarre comment that no one lives closer than Otley!

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 21/05/2018 16:36

North? Darling- I don't go north of Marylebone.

Can you apply to do a foreign posting and get a better life in the sun. Have you heard how those people speak? And they are all so effing friendly, except hate on southerners. Surely a small flat in London is better than the other option...... Leeds does have Harvey Nicholls. My cousin went to live in Birmingham and now her kids sound all brummie. Oh how we laugh....

Furano · 21/05/2018 16:39

@Mountainsoutofmolehills Grin

Original poster
siwel123 · 21/05/2018 16:46

Grin, @Mountain. I'm sorry i've already got a northern accent Grin.

I do find it daft that people think i will hate the suburbs, inner city areas.
I live in London!

As long as i can easily get to the centre and the countryside i'm all gravy Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
siwel123 · 21/05/2018 16:51

@nursy1. I love them both Grin. Why is this so hard!!!

The plan of action for the weekend is, arrive friday night, go out and see the nightlife / meet with grandparents.
Saturday - We go out looking at all the areas while the kids have some quality time with the grandparents. Shotrlist areas we like that night.
Sunday - Go to grandparents house in hull and then go home later on.

OP posts:
GrumpyInsomniac · 21/05/2018 16:54

Where I am wouldn't suit OP as it's 25 minutes by car to Skipton and then 40 minutes on the train to Leeds. But that view from my bedroom window actually makes me want to get up in the morning. I know a lot of people who consider it worthwhile commuting a little further to come home to that view. Or be able to walk their kids down to the river to swim on a sunny day.

I did have to stop thinking like a Londoner, but it's been absolutely worth it. I have a friend who lives in Silsden and commutes to Manchester: again, he feels living where he does makes up for the commute, and it's rarely - if ever - as packed as a tube in rush hour.

Doing an hour as a sardine morning and evening, versus an hour seated and reading a book or just looking out the window at the countryside... it's a very different commuting experience.

Leaving London
Original poster
siwel123 · 21/05/2018 17:10

@GrumpyInsomniac. Wow beautiful

OP posts:
ScrubTheDecks · 21/05/2018 17:14

I used to stay with family friends in Rawdon to the North of the city - it was really lovely. Very quick into the centre, lovely countryside, good schools. I would happily live in any of these houses:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72406244.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68171387.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64540882.html

But maybe closer in is better. Headlingley was stuffed with m/c professionals as far as I remember!

BarbaraofSevillle · 21/05/2018 17:16

Sounds like a plan OP. Be aware that there's a festival on in Millenium Square in Leeds city centre on Saturday afternoon/evening, so there might be a bit of extra traffic round that way.

It's going to be great weather over the weekend, so you might want to visit somewhere like Roundhay Park, Otley Chevin, Ilkley Moor or Temple Newsam for a little walk around if you have time.

Original poster
siwel123 · 21/05/2018 17:19

Thank you both for the suggestions. The kids will probably go ahead Sunday with grandparents so we may fit in a small hike then

OP posts:
nursy1 · 21/05/2018 18:54

It sounds like you have a good initial plan siwel. Good luck with the house hunting.

JacquesHammer · 21/05/2018 18:57

Its a right schlep of a commute

It’s 20 mins and there’s 3/4 trains an hour....

I love Bingley. We’ve eschewed Bingley schools in favour of skipton though!

nursy1 · 21/05/2018 18:57

insomniac
I am totally with you. I only work a couple of days a week now but getting up in the morning for a cuppa and sitting here makes me ready for whatever the day brings.

Leaving London
Luisa27 · 21/05/2018 21:12

Gosh nursy and grumpy those views are beautiful, and I’m with you...I love living so rurally, and agree walking the children and dogs down to the river is bliss....

Sounds like a good plan for the weekend siwel...how exciting!

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