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.