Please help a London mummy find an area in Leeds!

[Lndnmummy]

Hi all,

I would love some help from wise forumites. I will most likely be relocating to Leeds from London in the beginning of next year and I need to find somewhere for me and my family to live. My son is 2 1/2 so good primary schools and nurseries are very important to me.

My son is mixed race so I also need the area to be relatively diverse as I do not want him to be the only mixed race boy in school or find it hard to make friends. How is it in Leeds with regards to diversity? I am having nightmares about my son not being invited to birthday parties or not finding friends.

I am not from the UK but have lived here for 15 yrs so I do not know alot about Leeds but have always really enjoyed the city when I have been to visit.

Any pointers in this rather daunting task would be so much appreciated. I would prefer areas that are not so rural and closer to the city if that makes sense. I have looked at Chapel Allerton, Horsforth and Headingley which all seem nice but I would welcome some advice from others, in particular with regards to the diversity aspect.
Oh - and any ideas on how to make friends would be very welcome too!

Chapel Allerton has more of a mix than Horsforth or Headingley I think.

Hi,
I have a 5 month old son and moved to Leeds the end of my mat leave. He's also mixed race so I completely understand your concerns but Leeds is a pretty diverse city so I really don't think that will be a problem. Every baby group I've been to has had a good mix of nationalities. I'm based in North Leeds too in Adel which is probably the least diverse of all the areas and our road still has a few mixed race families.
Headingley is mainly a student area much quieter in the summer but I like it there. Horsforth is ok too nice park for your son and Chapel Allerton seems to have a nice selection of restaurants etc. I think all areas are fine. I seriously wouldn't worry too much, I wish I hadn't ! Give us a shout if you want any more info

Hi I live in Chapel Allerton, I'm a bit biased but I think it's really friendly for a city suburb and really diverse. I would say it is a slightly lefty area so I would be shocked if your child was left out or made to feel different! Our children go to nursery in chapeltown which as an area has a bad reputation but the nursery is lovely and really celebrates the diversity of both the children and staff. Chapel A has a local residents association CARA - not as stuffy as it sounds they support local businesses and promote social events, very family oriented so would be a good way to meet people. There's loads of friendly mums in the area too who I am sure would make you feel very welcome - like me although as per the other thread I am in the 40 and over gang but don't let that put you off :) happy hunting

Aww, Thank you all so much for your friendly replies, I appreciate it more than you will realise. I need to take this leap really as I know I can provide my son with a much better quality of life in Leeds than I will ever be able to in London but it just feel like such a huge step.

Would any of you be able to recommend a good nurseries and primary schools for a by then nearly 3 year old boy? It looks like we might en up in Chapel Allerton so any tips would be greatfully received. I dont care in the slightest about "wrong end of town", anything with lovely, kind and nurturing staff appeals to me. What are waiting lists like? I will need 4 full days (sadly) for him.

Oh and delilahnancy, I would love to join your gang if there is room for one more?

Thank you all once again - I am a worrier by nature and find all this really daunting, even though I know it is a brilliant move for us.

Hartley73, that is really reassuring to know - Thank you so much. I am terrible when it comes to worrying but I just feel this massive sense of responsibility to "get it right".