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Original poster

Advice on relocating to York

37 replies

clwildman · 19/02/2023 20:16

Hey all, first time poster on Mumsnet!
My husband and I are looking at relocating to York from Winchester, we’re both civil servants and can work from the hubs in Leeds and Darlington so York makes a lot of sense! I went to the University so know it a bit but left in 2010 so I imagine it’s changed a lot since then. We’ve been up to visit and really like the look of Heworth so I wanted to ask the hive mind a few Q’s before we take plunge…

Is Heworth as nice and safe as it seems? I know it borders Tang Hall but the ‘rough’ areas of York don’t seem to be that bad..? We’ve seen a couple of houses we like on Stockton Lane and East Parade.

Are the schools in the area good? Any you’d avoid? We have two primary school aged children.

Are there any other areas of York you’d recommend for a family with decent access to the centre? Our budget is £600ishK for a 3/4 bed with a decent garden.

Have many other people relocated into the area? We won’t really know anyone so will be keen to make friends, really interested to hear the experiences of others!

Thanks all :)

OP posts:
Jorvik1978 · 19/02/2023 20:33

We live close to Heworth (Osbaldwick) and really like it on this side of the city. Heworth itself is lovely, but that would be reflected in property prices. I think you could just about get what you want, but I'd suggest you look at Burnholme or Osbaldwick which are perfectly nice but a bit cheaper. If you're a fan of modern housing, take a look at Derwenthorpe. I'm not personally a fan, but it might suit you, though the gardens tend to be tiny.

Plenty of primary schools in the area, some good, some not-so-good, so you'd need to do some research. I think the catchment secondary is Archbishop Holgate's in Heworth, which is large but gets good results and is rated outstanding.

Access to the city centre and train station is straight forward via bus or bike (lots of cycle paths).

We relocated to York five years ago and chose this side of the city as it made both of our respective commutes less than 15 mins. Easy access to the A64 to get out of the city.

Jorvik1978 · 19/02/2023 20:35

Stockton Lane and East Parade are both perfectly nice. Though if the house on Stockton Lane is the one I'm thinking of, it's been on the market a long time, and though you can't see from the photos, it's right on the edge of a small industrial park.

Northernlurker · 19/02/2023 20:43

I'm close to Heworth. It's a nice area and probably your best bet for a garden. There's a post office and co op on east parade as well as an excellent greengrocers and a fabulous flooring shop, you would get a garden in fulford too which is just as handy for the station and city centre but I think houses will be a little more and although the secondary gets excellent results it's a bit hot houseish by reputation. For Heworth you could look at both archbishops and Huntington which are decent schools. I'll have a look at rightmove for you.
Somebody will probably suggest south bank shortly but it's too expensive, you won't get a garden and unless you want to pay fees or go catholic school the schools are better to the north.

Northernlurker · 19/02/2023 20:49

If you can go to 650 this is a nice house with as good a garden as you're likely to get www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131553890#/media?activePlan=1&channel=RES_BUY

Lord knows what they were thinking with the bath though

Jorvik1978 · 19/02/2023 20:52

I like this one: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127252250#/?channel=RES_BUY

herbaceous · 19/02/2023 20:53

Hello!

We relocated to York from London four-and-a-half years ago.

We liked Heworth too, but the East Parade end of things, as a bit more life to it. Further out it gets a bit more suburban, but that might be your bag. You should be fine with your budget there.

We looked at South Bank, but as a PP said, the houses are smaller, and few have gardens. Lovely though it is!

We ended up living pretty centrally, which has worked out brilliantly. We can walk to just about everything we want to do. DS ended up going to Bootham school on a hefty music scholarship, which was never in the plan! Otherwise we're in the catchment for Joseph Rowntree school, which isn't one of the best. Huntingdon, Archies or Fulford are the options I'd recommend. Or All Saints if you're catholic and can prove it!

Northernlurker · 19/02/2023 20:54

This is a decent house on a handy street, closest primary would be heworth primary which is good but small but you could also look at park grove which our kids went to and was lovely or hempland. All usually full so you'll have to see which have spaces.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127252250#/?channel=RES_BUY

Northernlurker · 19/02/2023 20:55

Snap @Jorvik1978

It's a good house I think

Northernlurker · 19/02/2023 21:00

This is sstc but worth keeping an eye on. Nice street which is a no through road. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130513208#/?channel=RES_BUY

Jorvik1978 · 19/02/2023 21:05

Oh that one on Muncastergate is lovely!

Northernlurker · 19/02/2023 21:09

Good price too. Did you see the hall? Yummy!

Original poster
clwildman · 20/02/2023 16:05

Thanks so much everyone! So so helpful :)
I don't suppose anyone has any experience/thoughts on Park Grove Primary? Looks like a lovely school and seems to have space for us so I'm curious!

OP posts:
Original poster
clwildman · 20/02/2023 16:05

I'm curious to know which one this is..? The one we like is 92 Stockton I think

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Northernlurker · 20/02/2023 19:19

I mentioned park grove! Three kids went right through as did my friend's three and another friend's two and another friend's two and a colleague's two and another friend's four! We were extremely happy with it. Great site with lots of outdoor space, decent staff continuity (mine left five years ago so that may have changed but haven't heard so), really creative and nurturing.

Northernlurker · 20/02/2023 19:22

It also has the advantage of a huge fire about twenty five years ago which gutted it. Meaning it was entirely rebuilt inside. So you get the advantages of an old site in terms of field and playground but a new build interior

YorkshireTeaCup · 20/02/2023 19:51

It's worth finding out which hub you can go to first as if you end up in Darlington, you might want to consider looking further north? Although its technically only 60miles from York to Darlington, the traffic can be rubbish and i think it might get very annoying even if you are only doing it a couple of times a week. Obviously York to Leeds is much closer (although the traffic is still pretty awful but at least not for as long!). There are some absolutely lovely villages and towns that are closer to Darlo and certainly worth considering as alternatives.

Jealous you are making the move now. I'm also a CS and agreed with DH that we will relocate to the northern hubs before DC get to secondary school. I can't wait!

Original poster
clwildman · 20/02/2023 20:34

Thanks @YorkshireTeaCup luckily I’m based in Leeds (I’m at department of health) my husband is in Darlington (he’s in trade) but will get the train. We’ve looked in Leeds/Durham/Darlington/Newcastle so far but York felt like the right fit… good luck for your (eventual) move! Will report back :)

OP posts:
Original poster
clwildman · 20/02/2023 20:35

@Northernlurker it sounds right up our street! Just can’t believe it has space. We’re going to visit on Friday - really love the emphasis on creativity and no uniform!

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Iizzyb · 20/02/2023 20:44

So pleased you just said you'll get the train to Leeds - definitely the right choice 👍

We are in Leeds but visit a super duper podiatrist in Heworth and there's a lovely cafe just over the road too (we go early just for the food CakeSmile)

Would love to live round there hope it all goes well for you op x

ivegotthisyeah · 20/02/2023 20:47

Have you tried Northallerton? Great train links to Darlington and York/ Leeds! Probably about in the middle of York / darlo

Soozikinzii · 20/02/2023 22:50

My GS goes to Park Grove school it's a lovely school and very friendly . The children often stay and play on the Park a while after school whike the parents chat.which I find so unusual !

Starlitestarbright · 20/02/2023 22:56

I used to live on East parade when I was at university. Houses are massive on that road but make sure its not dated as it would cost alot to bring up to date proper double glazing, heating etc. Have you considered Fulford? I used to live there in my 2nd year was a lovely area to live in.

Northernlurker · 20/02/2023 23:06

@clwildman I loved the no uniform. Going to good work assemblies and seeing all the school march in with each child dressed to their taste was always lovely. Absolutely hate buying uniform for secondary. Only a few more months fortunately!

Original poster
clwildman · 26/04/2023 19:49

Hi again all... so the house on East Parade didn't work out (turns out the vendor was doing a private cash sale with his neighbour and used our offer as leverage..!)

Anywho... still hunting for a house and have seen one we like in the Groves on Eldon st... does anyone have any advice/reflections on it as an area to live? I know it's studenty but is it ever an issue..? Are lots of families or mostly students/airbnbs etc? We love park grove school so that would be a bonus but have heard mixed things about the Groves itself.

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Trixiefirecracker · 03/05/2023 00:47

I love the Groves! Think it’s really mixed area which makes it quite vibrant.