Aibu to not want to move up north

[time2changeCharlieBrown]

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?

I work in central Leeds and live in ilkley. I’ve lived here (pretty much) all my life and love it - was voted the best place in the uk to live a couple of years ago. I don’t think your attitude about northern people/crime etc. would go down very well locally though. People are usually very proud of living here/being northern.

The Hovis hill is in Dorset! I was so disappointed when I was told that.

As for the rest…ee, grrradely.

I’ve lived in north Leeds for many years and would move back in a heart beat. Really enjoyed the city and the countryside surrounding it.
It’s a great place to live, with lots of things going on for young people.
Look at Horsforth/Rawdon area or Adel.

I mean im guessing you wouldn’t live in Leeds itself? There are some crappy areas in the inner city. You want the golden triangle - google that. Look at scarcroft, Bramham, Wetherby , Ilkley, thorner, Horsforth. It’s beautiful but don’t go inner city Leeds or places like Burley, Holbeck on the outskirts,

Yes, let's judge the weather in Leeds from a two-week snapshot in the coldest wettest summer that anyone can remember.

My daughter moved to leeds for university. I’ve been amazed at the amount of wonderful and highly successful friends she made there. Many live in different countries. She retains a great social and professional life through her Leeds contacts.

I’m from Greater Manchester and would give East Lancs a miss. Apologies to any East Lancastrians.

Average annual rainfall in Devon is 900 - 1000mm. In Leeds the average is 660mm.

Average rainfall where I live on the edge of the Pennines is 969mm.

I'm absolutely baffled by the idea that a mixed race kid would have a tougher time in Leeds city than in a village in the SW.

Don't bother moving up here Op, it's not for you.

Last June was glorious and the washing dried on the line in a matter of a few hours.

Leeds is very cosmopolitan....
Old history and very modern. Near to the North York moors.
The pennies and the stunning Dales.
I live 10 miles away ( Just round the corner from Jane Mcdonald... name dropping lol).
But there is so much to do and see .. don't go by the latest news ( Harehills) ... that's way out and not typical.
Most young people these days go out early to the trendy bars and home earlier.. rather than the night clubs of a few years back.

I don’t think the north will welcome you with that attitude, OP 🤣

Why not consider one of the many small towns or villages within commuting distance of Leeds rather than the city itself, if that's your main concern?
You don't have to live in the city.
Presumably your DH commutes to somewhere from the village you currently live in?

I’m from West Yorkshire and went to Uni in the 90’s when it was much dodgier! Like anywhere it’s got good and bad areas but definitely more good! If you want the village feel go and look at Horsforth initially.
If commuting is an option places like Ilkley and Hebden Bridge are also really nice.
Weather wise it’s not that much different now, I am still in touch with family and friends up there and it’s sunny there when it’s sunny here (SW). You are making huge assumptions, have you actually spent time there?

My daughter moved up North from Brighton. Her husband had a job in Sheffield. She decided to live in Wakefield and got a job in Leeds nearby.
They love it there. Have a house a five minute walk from the city centre.
Been there nearly ten years and are very happy. Made friends easily. Love the restaurants and cafe culture there.
Have changed jobs over the years. Lots of work and other cities close to them.
I love visiting and there is lots to see and do nearby.

My you have some interesting preconceptions 😂

If you are used to village life Kirkstall probably isn't for you.

Guiseley. Horsforth. Menston. Hawksworth. Adel. Bramhope and Otley are all commutable. Ilkley is lovely but rammed with tourists and pricey.

Really depends on your budget.

If you head out towards Harrogate that's also commutable. Or you can go the other way out towards Huddersfield. Honley is small and feels rural but is on a direct train line to Leeds.

Also leeds is in the rain shadow of the pennines so we don't get huge amounts of rain and no the weather is not grim. Personally permanently muggy London weather is awful for me. I'd much rather be amongst the dark satanic Mills.

There are plenty of pretty small villages around Leeds though if that's what you prefer.
It will probably be a little colder than south east but dryer than Manchester area.

Quoting to agree with these suggestions I live around this area and there are so many gorgeous picturesque villages with stone built cottages you can easily relocate without ever stepping foot in Leeds city centre. I'd really recommend looking at the villages around Wetherby and maybe over towards Harrogate/York eg Kirk Hammerton, Kirk Deighton. Church Fenton feels rural but has a train station with regular services into Leeds?
Come and stay over this way for your long weekend (there's loads of air bnbs in Bramham/Clifford/Boston Spa) and I'll eat my hat if you're not smitten by the time you leave!
Sincerely, someone who relocated here from London 12 years ago

I’m a Lancashire lass and the Lake District has its own microclimate so it always seems rainy. It’s stunningly beautiful when the sun comes out but I wouldn’t book a holiday there.

Has been pretty awful this year weather-wise to be fair ( I live in Lakes)

Honley, Meltham and Holmfirth are lovely but Huddersfield is really grim. I’d recommend Harrogate or one of the villages nearby.

Do people honestly not know that when you head north out of London it gets colder? There is a national forecast on TV every night, London is under an orange bubble which radiates out getting cooler. By the time it reaches us in Scotland it's light blue 😂

Of course Yorkshire is colder than London.

You'll make no friends with that stick up your backside

Stay down south. The North is not for you.

This thread is soooo funny ... to a northerner anyway.