Leaving London

[siwel123]

Hi all, don't shoot I know there's life outside of London .
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.

Good point Luisa! Avoid any part of East Leeds where HS2 is planned to go through!! Swillington I think.

We don't need HS2. 2 hours 10 to London is fast enough.

I live in London but grew up in Leeds and loved growing up there as parks and countryside when younger but being a busy student city was amazing as a teen. Northern cities are certainly very different from london but We will be moving north (not leeds) for similar reasons in a few years as just can’t afford to buy here or rent more than a 1/2 bed flat. If I didn’t have children I would definitely want to try living in Manchester as so much going on but I have no idea what it’s like for families. In Leeds, north is generally more desirable - horsfoth, alwoodly, roundhay, West park. Worth checking commute times if working in centre as traffic can be very bad in leeds. Also look at the schools as most aren’t great in leeds unless you go private. Better state/grammar schools in otley, skipton, ilkely and Harrogate but then you will have a longer commute. You could commute from York but I wouldn’t want to.

No people that isn't true. No CS departments are relocating to Birmingham.

Wow thanks everyone. Does anyone want a little task? .

Find a house near outstanding schools, 3 double bedrooms, north Leeds area, with a 30min door to door commute. For 500k or less . Ooh a big garden would be nice too .

Go on I dare you...

@AMerkinInParis erm... www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-hub-in-birmingham-to-deliver-west-midlands-growth--2

30min commute unrealistic IMO. Schools aren’t great in Leeds.

We moved up from central London to the Dales earlier this year. DH had lived in the Dales as a child, although I'd never lived north of the Cotswolds, but we've settled in well. He spends weekdays in London and weekends with us.

For us, it was having a really good school in Skipton for our son, more house for your money, greenery, and a saner pace of life. Skipton is only 40 minutes on the train from Leeds, and is constantly rated as one of he best places to live in the UK, so maybe consider that? House prices are good in both Skipton and surrounding villages on the same line in to Leeds.

You shouldn’t have challenged us to this - my favourite thing in the world is looking for houses...it’s very exciting

Ok 45 minute commute just to extend to Skipton area

@Luisa27. Have fun .

See @Siwel123 - I told you Skipton was nice 😇

@Luisa27. You with your infinite wisdom

people that's setting up a hub in Birmingham for Civil Servants based in the West Midlands to deliver projects for the West Midlands.

It doesn't affect anyone based in West Yorkshire or Lancashire. No government departments based in the north of the UK are going to be relocated to Birmingham.

I've been working near Worsley in Manchester it's lovely had never heard of it before. Worth a look...

@AMerkinInParis not the word in the property industry, look at the size of the pre let, it far outweighs everything else in the midlands they already have.... something else is coming they just haven't said what yet.

@peoplearemean. I'm sorry me and my wife have decided we think Leeds is more suited to us and will be visiting at the weekend to make our minds up. Thanks for the suggestions though and if we decide Leeds don't for us we will check it out

And just think of all the fab roads and hills round Skipton for biking and hiking. And just south of the Dales National Park. We know another family who moved up at the same time as us and who rented in Skipton itself (we're in a village in Wharfedale) and they love being able to go everywhere and do most stuff on foot.

There is also bloody good fish and chips at Bizzie Lizzie's.

This was 7 months ago. We know that QH in Leeds is our home for many years to come through our engagement with the estates professionals. Unless you know better of course.....

Selling Skipton for me. May have to look there as well as north leeds.

I’m from Manchester, have lived and worked in Leeds, DH is from there and have lived in London for the past 15 years.
I would choose Leeds and look at houses in Otley or Ilkley. Ilkley is the nicer of the two but both lovely little towns with amazing countryside and superb schools.
I envy you, I have pestered to move back to the north for years but I doubt it will ever happen. You will never look back, good luck!

I have to agree with @AMerkinInParis. No government agencies are moving Tom Leeds or Manchester to birmingham.
Departments may move from London to their but as my department has a base in Leeds I know they wont.

@AMerkinInParis no of course not, more likely departments relocation from London, I'm just saying to the OP to be careful they don't get caught in any relocation that may backfire when planning a long term move, whoever you go check the office lease term ;)

Thank you @MummyPigsKnickers.

*wherever

Yep people fair comment. Something that should be considered before accepting a job offer. Apologies.