Page 21 | Aibu to not want to move up north

time2changeCharlieBrown · 2024-08-25T20:02:04+00:00

My dh has been offered a great job opportunity a high payrise the catch is we have to relocate up north near Leeds so my main concerns is the weather I hate winter, rain and snow and up there seems to get more? also I joined a few online community groups recently to get a feel for it and learn about the areas and what’s around all I have mainly seen is awful things about robbery’s and car theft and violent crimes! It’s really putting me off! we have a son who is not too far off an age to go clubbing and for nights out and even though he is 6 foot 5 he’s very striking looking mixed race (Greek) and I worry about him being a target and our eldest daughter too also very striking ,but both quite naive as we currently live in a small village and don’t often go into big cities and they are at small schools. my dh is from a different town up north not too far from Leeds still has friends there and says it’s fine and all city’s are the same and the kids will be fine as not in any gangs and unlikely to be. I am a worrier so Aibu to not want to move?

Gedoverit · 27/08/2024 20:15

Don't move up north. Ever. We don't want southerners who walk along staring at the ground not saying hi and eyup and morning.
We're 'appy with what we got.

Tulipsareredvioletsarebue · 27/08/2024 20:17

Coachvikki · 25/08/2024 21:04

Well, you are not wrong about the weather. It genuinely is worse up here. However, I think you are worrying over nothing on the other points. There are some gorgeous villages near Leeds, and I say that as someone from Lancashire and we are not normally allowed to say nice things about Yorkshire.

I read your post that there are some gorgeous VILLAGERS so she does not have to worry about her son standing out with his beauty...

BlueFlowers5 · 27/08/2024 20:17

You could explore the towns and villages between Leeds and Manchester, such as Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge..

bobster31 · 27/08/2024 20:32

You do know you can't come unless you've got a flat cap, a whippet and a job int mill don't you? I'd much rather be "up north" than darn sarf and having to deal with someone like you. Get a grip ( and a big coat since you won't be able to cope with our near polar climate it seems).

Original poster

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 20:42

bobster31 · 27/08/2024 20:32

You do know you can't come unless you've got a flat cap, a whippet and a job int mill don't you? I'd much rather be "up north" than darn sarf and having to deal with someone like you. Get a grip ( and a big coat since you won't be able to cope with our near polar climate it seems).

Edited

Boring 🥱
already been mentioned a few times now the whippet and flat cap
seems our overweight lab won’t fit in either then maybe if I put a cap on him

OP posts:

oakleaffy · 27/08/2024 20:54

Don't move Up North.

It'll be like this...

bobster31 · 27/08/2024 20:59

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 20:42

Boring 🥱
already been mentioned a few times now the whippet and flat cap
seems our overweight lab won’t fit in either then maybe if I put a cap on him

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Maybe don't write a post asking for people's opinions if you don't want to hear them? I think it's more likely that you won't fit in if you exhibit the attitudes and prejudices you've already shown. Your fat Labrador will be fine, as long as he doesn't eat our chips.

Scotland32 · 27/08/2024 21:04

I think the weather thing is perpetuated by people who want to divide. I grew up in SE England. Then moved to Scotland. Yes there is a bit of a difference in terms of more rain less sun but it’s fairly negligible. It’s hardly like moving from Southend to Sydney (or vice versa).

Original poster

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 21:07

bobster31 · 27/08/2024 20:59

Maybe don't write a post asking for people's opinions if you don't want to hear them? I think it's more likely that you won't fit in if you exhibit the attitudes and prejudices you've already shown. Your fat Labrador will be fine, as long as he doesn't eat our chips.

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Helpful opinions are very welcome good or bad , and there has been plenty of both that are much appreciated
but not sure how repeating flat caps and whippets is helpful and it was only funny the first time
and yes he probably would eat the chips
sorry

OP posts:

RichinVitaminR · 27/08/2024 21:10

I lived in Leeds for uni and loved it. I went there from the Midlands (back in Midlands now) and found the autumn/winter weather to be a bit colder than I’m used to but wouldn’t say much more. It’s not like Scotland with loads of snow or anything! I don’t think you need to worry about your children either, DH is right. Leeds is nice and you’ve got some lovely areas you can visit in the nicer weather from there like Whitby. York is really lovely too, huge amounts of character and just beautiful. Go for it!

Original poster

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 21:28

kierenthecommunity · 26/08/2024 21:06

@time2changeCharlieBrown 50 years ago my mum was you. My dad got offered an incredible job opportunity so they came to Leeds from Chelmsford with 18 month old me and my DSis. My parents got divorced ten years later but my mum never went back to Essex so she must have found something appealing about Leeds 😂

Nonetheless it’s still a daunting prospect especially for the kids. You’ve not said how old they are, are schools a consideration? As you’d need to do your research there. Some high schools leave a bit to be desired to be fair

I echo not to consider Kirkstall - it’s not especially rough but a lot of it is back to back terraced streets. There is the Abbey there but can’t see that thrilling teenage DC, and a couple of small shopping complexes. Driving into town from there is a nightmare as Kirkstall Road is single carriageway. There is a train station but I couldn’t tell you if the service is good.

Headingley would have to be the furthest bit out of it (near West Park) to tempt me as very studenty but the bus services are good and there’s loads of bars and restaurants .

Roundhay is fantastic but as a PP said beware the exaggerating estate agent who describes somewhere as Roundhay when it’s more on the border with Harehills. There are some nice places to eat (and in neighbouring Oakwood) and Roundhay Park is stunning

Garforth is a bit in the sticks for me 😂 but I have colleagues who live there (and Kippax which is next to it) who rate it. It’s fantastically located for the motorway network

If you do see a house you like feel free to PM
me the street name and I can give you an idea what the area is like. I’m a cop so know the city well!

Like @DrPeculiar i was brought up in Alwoodley (how old are you Doc…?) and we still live there. It’s a really nice place to live as near enough the city centre for commuting (and for Harrogate too) but at the edge of the countryside 😊

Thanks for your information
sounds like you are in a good spot there I’ll be. Looking into this it’s not far from the hotel we booked,
and the fact you are a cop makes your opinion to me even more important! I will do thanks we have so many areas to look at now and they all sound very very good! I think we may be spoilt for choice!
do you know much about the following? Would you recommend any of these areas

boston spa
menston
horsforth
Guiseley
Adel
Morley

we will definitely visit Harrogate
maybe knasbrough? And definitely York too

OP posts:

keffie12 · 27/08/2024 21:49

@time2changeCharlieBrown I live in York which is 25 minutes on the train, 20-25 in a car to the Leeds outskirts.

You have the best of both worlds here. It's not as big as an inner city like Leeds, yet not a village off the beaten trek.

It's not perfect. No where is, however York and surrounding areas you can't go wrong with.

I've lived here 30 years now. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the U.K. I've lived in big cities and know people who live in them.

Look for an outlining area. Oh and York is in the flat of the valley so we don't get snow and the like anywhere near as bad. If it's bad here then it's twice plus as bad everywhere else

FlipFlopVibe · 27/08/2024 21:58

DeadbeatYoda · 25/08/2024 21:30

I currently live in Kent but am heading up to the north east next year. Before I chose where to move to I checked an average rainfall map. Near the east coast it's much the same rainfall as down here. If you go west, it gets much wetter. I have also been tracking the weather up there since last November and I am content that it's not so different - just a few degrees cooler. Hope that helps x

It’s the wind you’ll notice if you’re close to the coast. I lived in North Yorkshire for 10 years then moved back to the North East coast and although rain/temp is about the same, I hadn’t realised how incredibly windy it gets

justasking111 · 27/08/2024 22:10

I like the wind especially in the summer. In the south east where I grew up it's was a sweat box at times without a good breeze. I follow weather and when it's 22c here which is fine by me it's 29c down there but absolutely windless. Frankly I'd dread that and would be putting air conditioning in a couple of rooms.

When we holiday abroad I love west Portugal coast line because of the Atlantic breezes.

Stringagal · 27/08/2024 22:12

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 21:28

Thanks for your information
sounds like you are in a good spot there I’ll be. Looking into this it’s not far from the hotel we booked,
and the fact you are a cop makes your opinion to me even more important! I will do thanks we have so many areas to look at now and they all sound very very good! I think we may be spoilt for choice!
do you know much about the following? Would you recommend any of these areas

boston spa
menston
horsforth
Guiseley
Adel
Morley

we will definitely visit Harrogate
maybe knasbrough? And definitely York too

Edited

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While you’re in Menston check out Burley-in-Wharfedale too. Bolton Abbey / river also worth a little visit.

I’ve lived in three of the areas you mentioned. Morley is a bit of an outlier on that list. Look at Tadcaster and surrounding areas as well, though I’m not sure about transport links other than the A1. How long are you coming up for?

justasking111 · 27/08/2024 22:15

My sons friend lives in Holmesfirth??

He said it's lovely there. His future in laws live in Sowerby Bridge which he also likes

kierenthecommunity · 27/08/2024 22:29

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 21:28

Thanks for your information
sounds like you are in a good spot there I’ll be. Looking into this it’s not far from the hotel we booked,
and the fact you are a cop makes your opinion to me even more important! I will do thanks we have so many areas to look at now and they all sound very very good! I think we may be spoilt for choice!
do you know much about the following? Would you recommend any of these areas

boston spa
menston
horsforth
Guiseley
Adel
Morley

we will definitely visit Harrogate
maybe knasbrough? And definitely York too

Edited

Show quote history

My mum used to live in Boston Spa. It’s pretty quiet.

Menston is very nice, just a bit far out for my taste.

Horsforth is a massive area. It’s got two ‘main streets.’ It is mainly decent but there are some scruffier parts,

The only thing that would put me off Guisley is the main road out of it to the Leeds Ring Road (main artery into Leeds) is a single carriageway and it gets really backed up.

Adel is quite near me, it’s nice. The buses aren’t quite as good as Headingley (the Adel buses go through Headingley to get into town)

Morley is right on the opposite side of town, in south Leeds. It’s really a little town in its own right. Like Horsforth it’s mainly decent

Harrogate - if i could get a posh terrace near the town centre, I’d love it. A lot of the surrounding area, while affluent is fairly staid.

Knaresborough seems nice but not a lot there. Very touristy in summer.

mamajong · 27/08/2024 22:32

There are lots of lovely villages on the outskirts of northern cities. Yanbu if you genuinely don't want to move but yabu to think the entire north is crime ridden!

RampantIvy · 27/08/2024 22:35

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 21:28

Thanks for your information
sounds like you are in a good spot there I’ll be. Looking into this it’s not far from the hotel we booked,
and the fact you are a cop makes your opinion to me even more important! I will do thanks we have so many areas to look at now and they all sound very very good! I think we may be spoilt for choice!
do you know much about the following? Would you recommend any of these areas

boston spa
menston
horsforth
Guiseley
Adel
Morley

we will definitely visit Harrogate
maybe knasbrough? And definitely York too

Edited

Show quote history

I used to live in Guiseley and would recommend it. It is on the Wharfedale line and is an easy commute to Leeds by train. The drive is awful though due to the volume of traffic. Menston is one station further up the line and is also lovely. And definitely consider Horsforth.

Holmfirth doesn't have a railway station @justasking111. I wouldn't fancy the drive to Leeds from there.

BIWI · 27/08/2024 22:38

If your DH needs to drive into Leeds city centre, I'd avoid Horsforth (even though there are some lovely houses there, and good shops/restaurants/bars) because the main road into the centre is incredibly busy in the morning/afternoon rush hours. It can take a very long time to get into the city.

There is, however, a train station - but Horsforth is quite spread out, and the station is right up at the North of the town, so look for properties nearer the station if you're considering there.

RampantIvy · 27/08/2024 22:39

The only thing that would put me off Guisley is the main road out of it to the Leeds Ring Road (main artery into Leeds) is a single carriageway and it gets really backed up

I agree that the road isn't big enough for the volume of traffic it carries. I have friends in Menston and Otley and don't enjoy driving up and down the A65. However, the fact that it is on the railway line would be a big win for me.

brightyellowflower · 27/08/2024 22:58

I wouldn't live in Leeds. I'd live in York, Beverley or even some of the East Yorkshire villages and just drive in. Only an hour away if that. Know Leeds well. Wouldn't call it rough particularly but you will get a much much nicer lifestyle out to the West of it. None of the areas mentioned so far are that great! I definitely wouldn't go to the East at all! (know those areas very well)

You'd be best to advise budget and style/type of house you're looking for and people can post suggestions.

kierenthecommunity · 27/08/2024 23:15

RampantIvy · 27/08/2024 22:39

The only thing that would put me off Guisley is the main road out of it to the Leeds Ring Road (main artery into Leeds) is a single carriageway and it gets really backed up

I agree that the road isn't big enough for the volume of traffic it carries. I have friends in Menston and Otley and don't enjoy driving up and down the A65. However, the fact that it is on the railway line would be a big win for me.

I actually forgot about the train 😂 there’s no such thing this side of the city, which is a shame!

SaltAndVinegar2 · 27/08/2024 23:23

time2changeCharlieBrown · 27/08/2024 16:58

This is probably why our family near Manchester are always saying how bad it is

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Manchester does have a lot of rain. It's the other side of the Pennines from Leeds though - Leeds would be a fair bit drier. It will be noticeably colder than the south west though

Marmaladelover · 27/08/2024 23:29

OP we live in the south west but have relatives in that area. They get less rain than we do ! Being in the rainshadow of the Pennines on the east side away from prevailing weather. . They do get more snow in winter , but summers are generally dry and warm.
Boston Spa school has a very good reputation I think . Seems to have good results still. Boston Spa is a nice village but I agree having driven into Leeds being somewhere in ithe schools catchment but on the railway would be perfect .