Considering a move to York with children, best areas and schools?

[Shlr]

Hello, I'm wondering if any people who live, or have lived, in York are able to please give me some insights.

We're thinking of moving there with our two primary aged children and would love to hear what people know about different areas to live, primary schools and, also importantly, secondary schools.

To tell you a bit about us and what were hoping for:

I currently live in East London with DH, DD and DS. DH and I are hoping to move somewhere where we can afford a little bit more space, with a reasonably sized garden. We'd love to live somewhere pretty, clean and safe, with character. We're hoping for a nurturing primary school with lovely a community and a nice secondary school (results are important but a happy place to be is more so).

We have been considering the whole of the UK for a while but are really excited about York. It's hitting a lot of boxes as we think it's small enough to be walkable and easy for our children to have a bit of independence as they grow older, while also being big enough to be interesting. It's full of character and also close to beautiful countryside.

We've literally only been once so are almost clueless! We got a good vibe there and that feels important.

If I had absolutely all my dreams come true we'd live in a 4-5 bed house with a decent sized garden on a pretty, quiet street with friendly neighbours, other families and a community, village feel. Ideally some nice local shops or something. The area would be walkable into town, or at least easily connected by public transport. Maybe near a beautiful park and within the catchment areas of well-suited (state) schools. Our budget can stretch to about £750k.

I read that Fulford school is well regarded. One person I spoke to said it was a little hot housing so I'm intrigued about that. They also recommended Millthorpe but I know absolutely nothing about it (or any other schools)!

I'm probably asking too much but maybe something close is possible. Please help me find the best areas and schools to explore?

Thanks so much!

@EllieQi don’t feel it’s as pastorally strong as Huntington or All Saints. Very results orientated and i know somebody whose dc had very bad issues with bullying which didn’t seem to be effectively addressed.

I do agree about Park Grove though. V good school, creative and gentle. Would work for a Heworth address too. Though if you drop off by car it’s a pita. Bike no issue.

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your replies so far. I have a lot to look up and think about!

@BiscuitsCheeseBiscuits this is interesting, thank you. Which village did you live in, if you don't mind me asking, and did you like it there?

@EllieQ Thank you, I'll definitely look at the Guide for Parents and join the York Mumbler FB group.

My husband is keen to explore more villages around York. Are there any that people recommend that are particularly lovely and with good connections to York train station?

I should say villages within less than 30 minutes public transport away, if they exist

I moved here from the south and whilst it is lovely in many ways - and very friendly - I really can’t handle the cold, horribly damp long winters and endless cloud. I was deluding myself thinking the climate can’t be that different. Like months and months of 2 or 5 degrees and not even 30 mins of blue sky let alone sun.

@Objectrelations this does sound hard. DH and I both grew up in Lancashire and I remember my mum would get excited about tiny patches of blue sky 😂 I was hoping Yorkshire is a slight improvement on the west!

Having lived down south for at least a decade though, now I'm worried it'll be difficult. I adore the sunnier weather here, but it has been getting a bit too hot these days so I'm finally thinking I might be able to handle the north again.

It's a tricky situation because DH is pretty unhappy in London and we just need a big change. I feel like a move up north is inevitable so I'm thinking East (ish) rather than west... Plus we just really like York.

It is definitely better than the west - we get a lot less rain. Cooler than London for sure, but that might be becoming a good thing!

Yes, a lot less rain than West! I’m from Jersey and I’ve lived either there or in London my whole life, so it’s just come as a shock that the winters here starts so early, finish so late and are so overcast and cold. My colleagues in York or enjoy the climate and think I’m a weirdo for having enjoyed some of the temperatures we’ve had this summer though - so horses for courses!