Escaping to Harrogate or Ilkley?

[WithintheRealmsofFantasy]

Hallo Mumsnetters,
I'm sorry that I'm rather living up to my name and dreaming more than I should, but I'd really value any insight into life in Harrogate and Ilkley. I'm moving up to the Yorksire area soon (living in Baildon temporarily) but in the next year I'm hoping to put down proper roots.

I'm a bit of a soppy home girl so ideally I'd like to find that forever town where I could get stuck in to social activities, church, volunteering and work.

I'm desperate to foster to adopt and I'll (hopefully) be a qualified Maths teacher, so a family friendly place where a little one could grow up happy and well-adjusted, with good schools (Catholic would be lovely, but just anywhere pastorally strong) are important.
I know Ilkley to an extent and I love its feel and being able to feed ducks by the river etc..., but it seems expensive compared to Harrogate, and I worry that for jobs for me might be difficult with only the one secondary. I don't know Harrogate at all, and the schools seem good on paper, but I've also seen some threads which suggest its maybe a bit snobby. I've experienced the competitve parenting of the Home Counties and part of what I'm hoping to move to is a culture which values kindness and good manners, above the grade 5 in piano or which Carribean island you go to on holiday if that makes sense? I also worry Harrogate might be too big to be friendly, because I love to meet new people and chat, but I'm a little shy at first
I'd be so grateful of knowledge about either? Thank you Xx

I only know Ilkley as a visitor and it seems lovely. DS goes for sports matches when it's not flooded.

Hi, I’ve worked in Harrogate for 10 years. Yes the people are extremely snobby!!! No joke. Town has a lovely feel to it, people are very mixed, some love to chat, others look down their nose. All the people I work with from Harrogate are lovely and very friendly. If I was considering moving there my main concern would be the traffic. EXTREMELY slow moving rush hour. I can imagine school run could be a nightmare!!! If I go out in Harrogate to eat after work (5), to go a couple of miles can easily take 45 mins!!! Same on a morning no matter which direction you are coming in from. I actually changed my hours a year after I started because I couldn’t stand the traffic anymore!!

@Workinghardeveryday

Hi, I’ve worked in Harrogate for 10 years. Yes the people are extremely snobby!!! No joke. Town has a lovely feel to it, people are very mixed, some love to chat, others look down their nose. All the people I work with from Harrogate are lovely and very friendly. If I was considering moving there my main concern would be the traffic. EXTREMELY slow moving rush hour. I can imagine school run could be a nightmare!!! If I go out in Harrogate to eat after work (5), to go a couple of miles can easily take 45 mins!!! Same on a morning no matter which direction you are coming in from. I actually changed my hours a year after I started because I couldn’t stand the traffic anymore!!

Ooh thank you that's such a helpful local insight because I'm a pretty nervous driver and I imagine that could get quite complicated with needing to go several directions in the morning. Glad its friendly though :)

Ikley feels more rural although is a actually quite big, and Ikley nor Harrogate are neither are v far from skipton which has some v good secondary schools.

I live near Harrogate and it is a lovely town. In normal times the traffic is a pain, but no worse than many other places. Driving to Leeds will gradually be a no no due to pollution charging zones being introduced, but at least from Harrogate there is a fast bus and trains direct train to both York and leeds.

I don't find people snobbish (maybe I am as well) but maybe that's me. It has a lovely feel to it both, especially at Christmas and summer. We love going out after work in normal times to the numerous fantastic bars and restaurants, especially sitting out near The Stray.

You are really on the edge of the dales. Fab places to walk like Swinsty reservoir just one. York nearby and lovely at Xmas as well as summer when you can do river cruises.

The villages surround are great and there are places like Wetherby nearby. Many people commute over

The schools are generally exceptionally good. The local hospital is excellent as well.

Downside...house building like everywhere. Traffic during the Yorkshire Show. If you have to travel into Harrogate during those three days it can take hours so if anyone can work from home they do!!

I have lived here for years and love it

My friend lives in Ilkley, she’s built a fantastic life there. Lots of outdoor activities, walking, seems a v sociable town. She’s made a ton of friends.

@Sunflowergirl1

I live near Harrogate and it is a lovely town. In normal times the traffic is a pain, but no worse than many other places. Driving to Leeds will gradually be a no no due to pollution charging zones being introduced, but at least from Harrogate there is a fast bus and trains direct train to both York and leeds.

I don't find people snobbish (maybe I am as well) but maybe that's me. It has a lovely feel to it both, especially at Christmas and summer. We love going out after work in normal times to the numerous fantastic bars and restaurants, especially sitting out near The Stray.

You are really on the edge of the dales. Fab places to walk like Swinsty reservoir just one. York nearby and lovely at Xmas as well as summer when you can do river cruises.

The villages surround are great and there are places like Wetherby nearby. Many people commute over

The schools are generally exceptionally good. The local hospital is excellent as well.

Downside...house building like everywhere. Traffic during the Yorkshire Show. If you have to travel into Harrogate during those three days it can take hours so if anyone can work from home they do!!

I have lived here for years and love it

Thank you for such a detailed insight - it sounds wonderful. I'm very outdoorsy so that lifestyle defo is tempting :)

I live near Harrogate. It's my preferred place to shop, dine, meet friends, walk, hospital etc. My DCs have gone to schools there. I love it. The traffic is tolerable if you plan accordingly. I'm oblivious to any snobbery.