To move to Yorkshire from the south coast on my own?

[MintyCedric]

It’s a medium term plan (DD currently at uni and elderly mum would make it difficult atm) …probably in the next 3-5 years…I’ll be in my early fifties by then.

I’ve lived on the south coast since I was toddler, but these days I have about 3 friends here…one is single but has a very active social life, the other two are married with family commitments.

I fell in love with Yorkshire when I visited for the first time about 8 years ago. I feel like it has all the cultural stuff that interests me, but with less pretension and I love the countryside up there. I’d also be able to get a nicer house than my current one with no mortgage…a major consideration as my mortgage currently runs until I’m 67 and I have limited pension provision.

Despite all these pros, my DD and my best mate are being quite negative and unsupportive. They feel I ‘made more effort’ here to socialise I wouldn’t want to move, but it’s really not about that…I just want a fresh start.

AIBU to think I could move in my fifties, on my own and create a new life for myself?

And if anyone has any opinions on Harrogate and surrounding areas or Otley/Burley/Poole in Wharfdale as places to live…bring it on!

I drive as I go all over Leeds
Much better when the grammar school is on holiday!
I tend to go over the top at Harewood to avoid GSAL.

Not much rape near Harrogate
Much more up in the gap between the dales and the moors

@SaggyCushionCover actually that’s a good point. I may end up with a job that involves driving to see people at some point.

Also how is Yeadon pronounced? Is it Yee-don or Yay-don?

Yee don

Yeadon would be a good place if you fancy flying out on cheap flights, from Leeds/bradford airport on a whim!

Yee-dun
Went to school there 😂

That sounds ideal 😁

Well I think I must be living in the wrong Yorkshire! The weather isn’t that different although its bound to be wetter and wilder if you are in the heights of the Dales..but not Leeds!

Ive lived in Leeds all my life ( hence the user name) and think it’s a great city. Recently moved to Harrogate. I am really glad we came here but it does feel a lot smaller. A few things to point out

Train and bus service to Leeds is pretty good and reliable
Direct trains to London
Traffic is pretty bad in the centre - but its a very walkable town
Great walks .Did the walk along the Nidderdale way to Ripley yesterday - just beautiful. Knaresborough is walkable too.
Great selection of independent bars , cafes and restaurants
Shopping not that great , but Im not a big shopper
Fab theatre and arts scene - 4 performance spaces in one town
The Stray valley gardens and RHS Harlow Car
The Crime festival ( as you know)
The Yorkshire show… I could go on.

By the way he property next door to me is for sale!

It does have its social problems too and scruffy bit - but where doesn’t?

Sidebeforeself

Harrogate has a microcosm. You can leave Leeds in sunshine and arrive in Harrogate in mizzle. Like today- Leeds is the same as London - Harrogate is 2 degrees lower.

Or Guiseley, which is just down the road from Yeadon, but has the added advantage of rail links to Leeds, Bradord and Ilkley.

Is the Prachee still at White Cross?

@SaggyCushionCover Some posters have been talking about the weather in Yorkshire though, not specifically Harrogate

I can spell Bradford

The OP specifically asked about moving to Harrogate.

Realistically your daughter is unlikely to return to live with you after uni if she moves for employment, get all the facts and rent for a year maybe in Yorkshire and perhaps rent out your present home if possible .

@SaggyCushionCover I know she did! I was making the point about what people were saying about weather in YOrkshire

Hello there
I'm a born and bred Southerner (Kent) now living in North Yorkshire. I moved with my husband, but had a dream of being out of the SE - we just didn't know where, exactly. We set off around the country, assuming we'd stay closer to family and friends, but nothing fitted the bill and made moving worthwhile until we arrived in Kirkby Lonsdale (not Yorkshire at all!).
Finally, we had all the right feelings and set about finding "the one" only to realise that KL was not going to meet our wishlist, or at least on our budget (big garden, big kitchen, ample parking).
So we extended our radius and found our gorgeous home just outside the village of Clapham.
We got lucky. Like you, our network in Kent had dwindled, and while we could have made more effort, it felt more like a busy place to work than a place to chill. That's probably because that was exactly what it had been for us.
We also were keen to explore new places - tbh everywhere we wanted to go in the SE, we'd been.
So - North Yorkshire for us has been extremely friendly and there is masses to do. We're a bit rural, and so going to "big" shops is an effort which I can rarely be bothered with.
We've made excellent friends, both individually and as a couple, but doing so has meant getting involved. From a southerner's perspective, thats the Yorkshire way. And it makes total sense. If you make the effort, so will they.
I do go to Harrogate shopping occasionally and the traffic is indeed DREADFUL. I can't imagine it having the community feel, but I may be wrong.
Skipton is great. As is Settle, but that bit smaller. You really do get to know people in Settle. And people will know you and what you're up to - so you have to take into account whether that's for you (we lived in villages in Kent and it was no different).
As for family and friends - we have very regular visitors who are quick to book in each year. They get a free break in a lovely area, and we all enjoy the time together.
My mum and dad followed us up here - I honestly never saw that coming. But it's great. I can help them whenever they need it.
Our children are both down south. They visit when they can and enjoy it - but can't envisage wanting to live here. It's just too quiet and outdoorsy for them. I'd be lying if I said I never wished they were around the corner - and one day we'll probably return south to make it easier for them to help us when the time comes (although I can't imagine how we're going to find somewhere else as amazing).
So, I just wanted you to know that there are loads of people up here that have taken that leap and have loved it. Good luck op! X

Also, on the subject of weather, this winter has been wet and gloomy. But when I talk to my kids - it's been the same for them!
We don't find it an issue. The only issue is the Yorkshire folk who look at us aghast and say "don't you miss the sun?" It really isn't a problem!

And a dog will mean you talk to more people than you can ever need!

Well, having been doing more research over the weekend I now have a shortlist of places to check out in the summer, although am debating moving my trip forward to May half term if I can.

So, am going to be looking at:

Harrogate
Knaresborough
Otley/Pool in Wharfdale
Yeadon

Spending the Easter hols sorting my house out, getting valuations and looking into the mortgage logistics and plan to make a decision around the summer holidays I think.

@MintyCedric honestly Yeadon is not a patch on Knaresborough or Harrogate which are towns in their own right. It’s a nice enough suburb of Leeds but I would say Horsforth is a bit nearer to the centre and still has a bit of a village feel.

I've worked out you want lots of amenities on your doorstep. I reckon you could get a lot of what you want in Bingley. It's well connected by train as well.

For example if you really wanted to release plenty of cash from your house in the SE, you could do a lot worse than swapping it for this flat with a balcony.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141718259#/?channel=RES_BUY

Exciting. I know you like Bilton, but do also check out Cold Bath Road and close surroundings. I love it as a small local high street, all independent.

I'd love to live there including with access to Valley Gardens and a walk out to, through the woods, to RHS Harlow Carr and Bamber & Brown for coffee in a teepee!

@Sidebeforeself

Ive lived in Leeds all my life ( hence the user name) and think it’s a great city.

I'm intrigued, or maybe a bit dim. Please can you explain your username?

Leeds Utd I presume ? 😂 who are doing brill.

Strike out Yeadon and put in Guiseley. Better transport links into Leeds from there.

@Lifeinlists @Peeppuandpopo hit the nail on the head! It’s one of our mantras ( along with the very creative “Leeds!Leeds!Leeds!”)