London or Leeds. WWYD?

[endoftether82]

To live, with 2 young kids. Crouch end in London, roundhay in Leeds. Which one would you do? And why preferably!

"and there's nowhere near the amount of theatre, music and art."

This is very true, but how many people actually spend a lot of their leisure time doing these activities?

Since moving to Yorkshire I actually went to the theatre, opera and ballet more often than I did in London. Probably because it was more affordable and accessible.

Roundhay without a shadow of a doubt. Much more house fo your money, great park, great city... but (nrtft so this might be irrelevant) with the proviso that getting children into primary schools in that area - insufficient school places - can be a bit of a nightmare so best to avoid the Chelwood area. And the intake for Roundhay high school is not drawn from where you might assume it is so check your address if this is important to you. 😊

Isn't it sad when ability to buy a house is a deciding factor in where people choose to live! It should be possible to put a roof over your family's head anywhere. I agree that's it's of key importance so I'd choose Leeds for that reason.

I am going to say London.

My kids really appreciate where they grew up especially when they visit friends who live in other places.

Dc have been getting themselves around London on their own since they were 10 years old. They notice that other friends were not just allowed the same freedom as they and their friends but the lack of choice in free places to go.

That's coming from dc

DD went to uni in Leeds and enjoyed it, but three years was enough, in fact, two years was enough. I am from the North, grew up there, but wild horses wouldn't drag me back to live there. Too cold and too provincial - better than it was, good for a holiday, but still inferior to anything London has to offer.

Of course, it's cheaper, but there's a reason for that!

If you can afford to live in Crouch End, it's a 'no brainer'.

London is great for a visit but Leeds to live
There is plenty of culture and lots to do ( ok not as much as London ) and it’s much cheaper and friendlier

Leeds. Roundhay is lovely and theres lots to do with kids nearby.

but how many people actually spend a lot of their leisure time doing these activities

We do. We went to see Gypsy when it was at the Savoy Theatre. Cost of 2 stalls tickets +meal before £23 in total.

Going out in London needn't be expensive you just have to look around.

Ifailed has it.

The question is rather weird - why Crouch end? From what I know of Leeds I sort of get Roundhay but it's still quite specific.

Did you inherit two properties OP? Are you developing the next series of Location, Location, Location?

I would say you can get more for your money in a different location around London.
Crouch End is very specific

Leeds for sure. Roundhay is a lovely part of the city and would give you a great quality of life. London is a great city, I have lived there but no one says just because you don't live there you can't visit. Indeed, I live in Yorkshire and usually visit London every couple of months, it's a really easy day trip but I'm very glad that's all it is. I couldn't live there anymore. There's loads happening in Leeds, loads for younger families and loads for teenagers. London is an amazing, world class city but world class prices come with it.

Also agree that culture, history and diversity don't stop outside the m25.. .

Crouch End, lovely though it is, is oddly specific unless the OP is already living there?

Roundhay presumably because of (a) the School and (b) the Park?

{Although let me tell you OP, that even if you move next door to that school, you don't have a prayer of In Year admissions. Actually, you don't have a prayer of In Year admissions pretty much anywhere in North Leeds.}

We moved from Leeds to London fairly recently, although now we live just outside the boundary. I didn't live in Roundhay but knew people who did and while it is lovely the transport is pretty bad. No trains, and only really one route into the centre which was always so jammed commuting took ages and buses seem ridiculously expensive there. The schools aren't the best either - though I have no idea what the schools in Crouch End are like.

We were just so bored of Leeds and thinking about everything on offer here for kids growing up compared to Leeds makes me think I definitely wouldn't want to bring my kids up there.

In terms of countryside - I live 17 mins train ride from central London and just a couple of miles from me is lovely countryside. So you don't have to go to Yorkshire for that!

Also as someone who lived in Leeds for 13 years then moved to London - I find London way friendlier.

Can you afford the same standard of living in both places? Leeds isn't that cheap really and our higher wages here pretty much cover the extra cost of mortgage.

I am from Huddersfield and have always found Leeds a bit... self-congratulatory. In the same way Bristol can be. But I suppose it's nice to be proud of where you live. The shops are awesome.

I don't live up north now (South West, love it here) but I will say Leeds!

Another vote for Leeds!

It's so difficult to say without knowing the circumstances. E.g. in my work the additional London salary would nowhere near cover the additional costs, but the work is generally higher profile in London, so its a balance of priorities between wanting to be at the top of your field in work and having a decent place to live. If you want to be able to get out to lovely countryside quickly then Leeds will win, but if you want a vast array of cultural offerings then London (Leeds does have a lot too, but you London just has so much more).

I've lived in Roundhay and near Crouch End. I loved both and I'd happily go back to live in either city but to raise a family I'd go for Leeds. (My vote is not to knock London because I think it's a wonderful place too.)

Leeds has diversity and culture and history. It's a city.
Even if money is no object, it'll still go loads further in Leeds and allow for better quality of life.
I personally think it's easier to give older children independence in a smaller city.
There is easy access to lots of countryside.
Schools can be difficult in North Leeds but it's much worse in North London.

presumably OP mentioned both Crouch End & Roundhay as they are places they could afford to live in, so affordability of housing is not an issue

If so there are so many other places OP could afford to live in around London

Leeds! I live in Roundhay with 2 dc and it's a great place to bring up a family!

Also - OP - can you afford to go private? I have a friend in Crouch End tearing her hair out over secondary school places. There appear to be loads of great options at the primary level there but secondary is more of an issue for some people, if you don't want Highgate Wood. There is the added complication of competition to get into the private schools and the grammars. You will know this all if you already live in CE.

I would mind what the others are saying about school places in Roundhay!

We considered a move up North and my impression (which could very well be wrong) was that it wasn't quite such a bun fight to get into the private schools as it might be in London.

I have loved bringing up kids in London, so much to do, great community, great schools. And it is so easy for teens to be independent and find affordable (free!) extra-curricular stuff and leisure activities in London. Free travel for them, all over London.

However, if I was at the start of my house-buying ladder now I would choose Leeds. Great city, access to countryside, good local trains to other big cities (e.g Manchester) and.....affordable housing.

The cost of housing would swing it for me. If you already have or can afford a big enough property in London, London.

What are all these free things to do in London that people always mention? Who funds them?

Free travel for London children that's not available elsewhere in the country sounds incredibly unfair - how is this justified?

We have free attractions and activities for DCS in Leeds too, I'm just wondering why it is always mentioned as an advantage of living in London?

*OVienna” you are right about Private schools up here, entry is based purely on affordability
I find it strange that people put dc down at birth for Private schools in London, generally in The North if you can afford it your child can go. They don’t tend to be as selective either

I think the recession has hit more people outside of London. It is my immpression that it is easy to get into private education in my area if you have a big enough wallet.