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Original poster

Having a wobble about moving to York - come tell me why it's lovely

34 replies

joshandjamie · 23/02/2012 08:13

We made a rather rash decision in January and decided to move to York. I've been there once for two days. My husband is from Yorkshire. He wants to be closer to his elderly mother and he wants our children to go to private school (which we can't afford to do where we currently live). Our boys have got into Clifton and St Olaves. Our house is on the market. Basically once the school year is up, we're moving ready to start in Sept at the new schools.

We currently live in a big, grade 2 listed lovely house with a big garden and pool. Beautiful countryside on our doorstep. Good (free) schools.

The downsides - you've got to get in your car to get anything and the people are not massively friendly, although I do now have a circle of friends that it's taken me years to build up. We just couldn't see ourselves growing old here and figured we needed to make a move sooner rather than later.

Our reasons for moving to York (besides the schools and MIL situation) was to have the lovely amenities on our doorstep (i.e. not having to get in car everywhere) and friendlier people. But I'm now second guessing our decision. Will I make friends? Am I going to be spending my life stuck in traffic? Can we find a house that is bigger than a postage stamp to live in that is still walkable to the school.

Please come and tell me why living in York is lovely and how it is the right decision.

OP posts:
Pootles2010 · 23/02/2012 08:24

Oh its lovely here! I came to uni here and liked it so much i stayed! All my friends from uni who had to move away are very jealous and visit very often.

I don't know about the house thing - depends on your budget! I can't afford to live in the centre, but thats because I'm v skint...

Traffic can be a pain, but depends where you live, if you're walkable to everything, then no!

People are really friendly here, and there's lots going on so plenty of chances to meet people.

MarjorieAntrobus · 23/02/2012 08:36

Yes, of course you will make friends. (this is meant kindly, though looks a bit bossy).

You are moving from the south somewhere, I guess, from the tone of your OP. York is lovely, you know.

Why don't you go for a weekend by yourself for a bit of a look around?

Presumably, if you are currently in a big, grade 2 listed lovely house with a big garden and a pool, your budget is huge.

Get a grip, woman! It will be fine and, if not, you can return.

Original poster
joshandjamie · 23/02/2012 10:51

Thanks Pootles. That's the kind of thing I need to hear. Marjorie - I wouldn't say our budget is huge given the house prices in York but yes, it will be a good budget that will get us a nice town house (I hope!). I know that York is lovely having walked around it when I was there but a sense of community is really important to me. We'll be moving from a village to a city - I guess I'm wondering how easy it is to get to know people. It's all just getting a bit real now that we've made the decision.

OP posts:
MarjorieAntrobus · 23/02/2012 11:07

Sorry, OP, I was a bit harsh.

I hope someone comes along with some specific advice about York. I remember it fondly as a child, as we used to visit my uncle who lived there.

loumumagain · 23/02/2012 11:22

Hi. We did exactly the same last year for the same reasons. We moved from Kingston south London where I had lived all my life. It was a scary process and a brave one. My parents and years of good friends are still in Kingston. We moved here in July and was it the right decision, absolutely. Our boys goes to Bootham 2 at senior and 1 at junior which we are delighted with. Oldest boy moved from huge state secondary and the difference is astonishing. It is such a lovely place to live. Everyone is so friendly and York centre is fantastic. Not loads of houses ever on market near town so may take a bit of time to find one but you will. If you'd like to meet up for a coffee and share experiences next time u r in York I'd be more than happy too. Good luck.

QED · 23/02/2012 11:27

Am posting here quickly to put this on threads I'm on but York is lovely I promise :) will reply more later.

LouMacca · 23/02/2012 11:38

Ooh you lucky thing!! I recently put a thread up about wanting to move to York and got lots of replies, I'll go and find the thread and link it.

Original poster
joshandjamie · 23/02/2012 11:45

Loumum - I will take you up on your offer to meet for coffee. Not sure when we are going there next but I would love to meet someone who has gone through a similar moving experience. We looked at Bootham - loved it - but they were tight on places and as they didn't play rugby which is a bit of a passion for my sporty younger son, we opted for St Peters/Olaves/Clifton.

QED - look forward to hearing from you!

OP posts:
upatdawn · 23/02/2012 19:04

It is lovely here. Some lovely houses, beautiful river area, lots of green space and very good state schools as well as fab privates. It also occasionally smells of chocolate :o

upatdawn · 23/02/2012 19:06

Other thing to mention - your childrens' school will be great for meeting new people so if you have the time get involved their.

upatdawn · 23/02/2012 19:07

there

marzipananimal · 02/03/2012 10:50

York is lovely! I used to live practically next door to St Olaves (still not too far from there) and it is a lovely little area. I think the main downside to York is that it's quite a long drive to the nearest good countryside eg. Dales, Moors and coast, but you can do lovely walks along the river and I often find as I walk around town, especially if it's sunny, that I feel like I'm on holiday :)

Original poster
joshandjamie · 03/03/2012 18:01

Thanks Upatdawn and marzipananimal - just saw your replies. I am starting to get more excited about the whole thing now. Just need to find a house!

OP posts:
DontWorryBeHappy1994 · 08/03/2012 20:48

York is great!! I recommend Bailey's cafe for food and drink because i work there its lovely ;)

PutThatCatOutNow · 13/03/2012 20:35

We currently live in a big, grade 2 listed lovely house with a big garden and pool. Beautiful countryside on our doorstep. Good (free) schools.

State schools don't get much better than those in York! They all bar one have good or outstanding ofsteds and have fab results. In fact for sixth form Fulford gets the second best results in the city (ahead of St Peter's). I would take a look at all of the school options for secondary.

chetempo · 08/04/2013 17:11

I am still living in Italy but moving to York with my family in July. I am looking for a house and I would like to move to Rawcliffe. I looked at the Clifton with Rawcliffe school site and it seems quite a good scholl. Might anyone of you help me suggesting if the place I choose is good for families (my kids are 8 and 9)?
Thank you all!

lilypoppet · 26/06/2013 07:15

So glad I saw your message. I am moving to York from London and get anxiety attacks about it on a regular basis, even though I know I am doing the right thing. My DH was born in Fulford, but I've lived all over the place and that's why I hate moving. I am moving for the schools and to give our children a better life. Good luck!

SunshineOutdoors · 26/06/2013 18:56

I've just moved to South Bank (across the river from Fulford) and absolutely love it here.

Pickles2015 · 29/11/2015 18:46

Hello,

I know this thread is a few years old, but when I read it it really resonated with me. We are in exactly this same position and will be moving to York from London in February with our 2 young kids. It's pretty daunting at the moment and just wondering how you got on joshandjamie? Or if anyone else has positive feedback on a similar experience? We are also looking at the private school route (the local state primary's had no places available) . . . Thanks so much!

Backupnorth1 · 08/12/2015 23:00

Hi Pickles2015,

Not quite what you are asking but we are moving from London to York next summer with a one year old, our family are nearby but I don't know anyone in York with kids if you want to meet at some point.
I do know York and it's lovely x

Pickles2015 · 19/12/2015 17:09

Hi Backupnorth1,
Thanks for your reply, not quite sure what I'm asking really either!!! think I'm just feeling a bit daunted by it all and hoping the transition is going to be ok, especially re schools Would be really lovely to meet when you move x

Kareng78 · 04/01/2016 15:09

Hi everyone, we've just moved to York from Italy with 2 year old twins and I don't know anyone yet. If anyone fancies meeting up for a coffee sometime let me know:) thanks

WildebeestH · 18/01/2016 14:31

Hi. We're in a similar position, having both grown up in York. We'd been aiming at moving in the summer but things have changed jobwise and we're now about to put our (London) house on the market and get things moving asap. We're really hoping to get an in year place for our year one DS but it's terrifying how full the schools are. I'd be interested to know what areas you're all interested in living in. And, if you're looking at private schools, are you assuming that's a temporary thing till there's a school place or will you try to stick with it?

Pickles2015 · 19/01/2016 13:29

Hi WildebeestH,

Good to know we're not the only ones in this situation! We're looking around the southbank area, but schools are very full, so will have to see if we can get a place any where. We're also looking at Bootham junior school, which also looks amazing. I think if we start with private school we'll probably stick with it if we can, as don't really want to move the kids twice. It is all a bit daunting, but sure it will be ok and will hopefully look back in a year and wonder what I was worried about!!!
Sounds like things are moving for you guys too, where in London are you?

WildebeestH · 21/01/2016 00:25

We also love the South bank area, although the other side of the river is in the Fulford catchment might would be a good thing longer term if the boundaries stay the same. Did you see that there's a proposal to expand Scarcroft Road primary in 2017? We're in south east London close to Crystal Palace Park at the moment. How about you?