Where to live in Yorkshire? Help!

[SpannaNose]

Hi!
My family are relocating to Yorkshire due to husband's job moving to Leeds. We don't know the area at all and only have a few weeks to figure out where to live and where to send our kids to school/nursery.
My question is, what is it like to live in Leeds as a family? Are there areas to focus/avoid our search in?

Do ppl live in York/Harrogate and get the train to Leeds? Is that likely to be a nightmare commuting wise?

For context, we currently live in a village outside Guildford, Surrey. We have two children aged 4 and 2.
We like to be close to big city but not necessarily in it. However, being in a town might make it easier to make friends etc.

We have friends in Pannal, Skipton and Beverley. Friends have recommended St Peter's school in York.

Where would you be looking if you were me?
Which schools are stand out up there?
Realise it's unlikely we'd get into a good state school at this stage of the year so open to state and private recommendations.

Thank you!

There's lots of nice options! What is your budget for buying/renting? I'm sure you'll love it up here!

I don’t know about the practicalities of the Leeds commute - but I’m hoping to move to Northallerton to be close to my son, DIL and new grandson in the next year or two. Lovely market town - very friendly, lovely shops, cafes, etc. I believe the schools are good.

Hi
I am a professional Relocator and I work in the areas you mention.
People DO commute to Leeds for York and Harrogate. Beverley is lovely but not as commutable to Leeds. There are quite a few Private schools in the North Leeds, York and Harrogate areas so plenty to choose from and most will have spaces in some years in September
If you would like to PM me I will see if I can help, not touting for Business as I only work with Corporates but I am happy to offer free advice.

Some fantastic North Leeds suburbs that might suit and some beautiful villages between Leeds and Harrogate.

a town like Ilkley or Wetherby could work too.

can you share a bit about husbands working hours and where in Leeds he’s based and if he needs to be I. 5 days a week

Leeds is a great vibrant city with lots of pleasant outlying suburbs, towns and villages.

Commuting from York and Harrogate is okay. Easily doable, but the odd trains are prone to cancellation.

Ive lived in both York and Harrogate . York is beautiful but gets overrun at times with tourists, Harry Potter fans , hen/stag dos and race day crowds. Harrogate is smaller and more quaint ,a much more sedate feel to it. Surrounded by beautiful countryside though.

Harrogate York and Leeds are all suffering though from “high street decline” with empty shops, vape shops etc.

We've got a healthy budget but there's not much to rent! Looking for four beds. Plan to rent to begin with until we've figured out where we want to be more permanently.
I don't really want to have to move the children's schools again so hoping to get the location right first time around. Is there much of a difference between areas and schools?

Are there particular villages that come to mind between Leeds and Harrogate? Do ppl tend to drive or train into Leeds form the north side?

He's going to be based in the centre of Leeds. Probably needing to be in 3/4 days a week.

I'd look at the Horsforth area, quite comfortable for someone from Guildford (I know that sounds weird but hopefully makes sense!).

Thank you, that's really helpful.

Looking it up right away! Thanks!

Ilkley. Great schools. 25mins on the train to Leeds. Lovely community. More pricey than some other areas but like a lot of us you won’t notice it to begin with coming from the south east!

You should be aware as a professional locator that 2 indy schools in Leeds have closed due to VAT and state schools are overstretched:

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/half-yorkshires-children-wont-somewhere-32043087?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawLjfFFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjRXI_z2ZqfSfOsORgjNIlpW_fAQJsOfMgLhglclwubWpk03C3uU67MMijB3_aem_EykrY_mIWQJZT0pC06iz5Q#Echobox=1752462951

As you've got a healthy budget, Ilkley would be my suggestion too. Lovely primary schools and an excellent secondary school (and it's not a grammar, despite the name!), plus Ilkley is usually close enough to get into the Skipton grammar schools if you want that option keeping open for the future. Really easy commute to Leeds, and gorgeous countryside on your doorstep 😊 I don't live there (I'm a few minutes away), but if I could afford it then I would 😂

To answer your question about if there is much difference between different areas - yes, there can be a big difference. House prices and schools differ massively from eg Keighley to Ilkley, even though they're not that far apart. I don't know Leeds as well as other posters, but I understand from friends who live there there's quite a bit of variation, and that school catchment areas there can be quite narrow.

If you do decide on Leeds then North Leeds has some of the nicer areas to live, but morning traffic can be tough. People do commute to Leeds from Harrogate, York and the surrounding towns and villages - trains are very reliable. As an example, take a look at Knaresborough, it's a lively historic town with a river and a castle.

We’re in Ilkley, kids are both in secondary now but as said above, great schools, loads to do especially if you like the outdoors, lots of independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Rentals can be a bit hard to come by but if you’re on Facebook join Ask Ilkley and Ilkley Chat and you’ll be helped I’m sure!

I was going to say Ilkley. V easy commute to Leeds but it's own town with great countryside and schools. It's fab for a young family, lots of activities.

Harrogate is definitely commutable if you want a bigger town and has good schools.

If you'd rather Leeds suburbs I'd recommend Horsfoth as I love the High street and the station makes it a v easy commute to central Leeds.

There's lots of lovely places!

Horsforth and Roundhay are great options near Leeds. Further out but still easily commutable are Otley, Ilkley, Harrogate, knaresborough. Some nice villages around North Leeds are Collingham, Scarcroft, Harewood and all the other little ones scattered in that area. Wetherby is a good option too. Good luck and happy house hunting ☺️

I am well aware of that thank you, still plenty to go at though.

At the moment but who knows by December.

My DB lives in Edgerton in Huddersfield, which is a beautiful suburb. He commutes to Leeds.

Close to Lindley village as well which is very nice

Thank you very much. That's such a kind offer. Will PM you

Thank you
Please do feel free to tell me how to do the rest of my job as well.

Ilkley is certainly worth a look but i think travel can be difficult. The train is good but not that frequent. Buses take ages. Traffic round Ilkley is busy as it's a popular place to visit and going into town by car each day won't be fun.

You could also look at Menston as its on the train line and perhaps Guiseley as that's also on the train line. Horsforth is nearer to Leeds and another decent place to live. Could look at Otley - no train but could get to Menston - park car and catch train.