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!

Menston, Ilkley or Guiseley then for train connection and a more town feel.

if you’re thinking more like a village then something like Collingham or Huby both have the train to Leeds

We moved up North as my husbands job relocated to central Leeds. Have a look at the villages on the a1 corridor around Boroughbridge, Ripon and Thirsk. There are some fabulous communities. Close to the a1 so easy drive to Leeds. Trains from Cattal. Knaresborough to Leeds. Close to Harrogate and York for trains to London and shopping. Amazing places to explore with children at the weekend. Our children go to Cundall Manor a fabulous school just off the A1 they are both academic and love sport.it's a very friendly school with a fantastic nursery and pre school, they are really happy there. There are lots of good options for private and state schools in the area but if you are looking at central Harrogate and York make sure you have tried the commute at rush hour if your children are too young for a bus. We couldn't have chosen a better area and school to bring up children. Hope that helps.