Been asked to move for work...but where (in UK)? Ideas very welcome!!

[MovingHousePenguin]

Title says it all, really! I've been offered a new job which is a significant step up but it means a move away from my current office which is small and fairly rural. The options are Birmingham, London, Leeds or Aberdeen at the moment, though there are potentially other places too.
We're currently leaning towards Birmingham but know little about residential areas - have had a google and it looks like Bournville or Edgbaston may be the best places? Haven't entirely ruled out London but I know from colleagues that there is a very different working culture there (even though it's the same firm!), and we'd probably have to live, and rent rather than buy, in a not so pleasant area which wouldn't be great for the DCs. I know nothing about Leeds. Ditto Aberdeen.
I'm hoping some of you will have handy local knowledge? I'm currently trawling findaproperty.com, google maps, and googling mad stuff!!

I work for a big firm which has office locations all over the country (and overseas). At the moment I work in a small office, in a lovely rural location which has been great BUT now that I've been promoted within my specialism I've been asked to move to a bigger office. So my options so far are:x. I can't say I'm thrilled about having to move but we're willing to give it a go.

I live in small coastal town near aberdeen, it's a great place to live and easy commute to aberdeen. Parts of aberdeen are very expensive but it's not all like that. Depends on what you are after really-shopping not great in aberdeen but the great outdoors is right on your doorstep with great beaches, forests and hillwalking. Also close to ski slopes in winter. Very good schools in towns to west of city eg Banchory, Stonehaven etc

However if you are after shopping, clubbing etc then I'd go for Leeds!

I would go with Birmingham or Leeds.

I'd be looking at Moseley, harborne, kings Heath areas in brum, or look into living in a lovely town nearby like Malvern or droitwich.

North Leeds is lovely. I live in a popular suburb, 12-17 minutes from leeds via regular trains, 3-4 bed semis cost anywhere between £180-400k.

Have a look at Horsforth/Cookridge, Guiseley and Ilkley which are all lovely, and further out Harrogate is great if you can afford it. The next step up from that would be York, which again is lovely (if touristy) and an easy commute to Leeds.

We're an hour from the Trafford Cemtre, a bit less from Meadowhall, about an hour from the seaside. Motorway links are great too (both east/west and north/south), and the airport is really handy.

I wouldn't live anywhere else!

I love Leeds, lived about 10mins away in a small town and it was so friendly, lovely people, great shops/cafes/restaurants/bars in Leeds, really cosmopolitan.

If you want to be in the city, my friend lives in Roundhay which is gorgeous (but expensive) and the park is amazing for kids. Or there are loads of great small towns just 10-15mins away.

I would move back to Yorkshire in a heartbeat.

Another vote for Leeds. If you can opt not to be in London, I'm not sure why yo would (just cost of living and quality of life). Yorkshire is incredibly beautiful, I would always choose to live here.

We lived in Solihull for a few years and found it really nice. Transport to Birmingham is good and there are loads of nice places to visit (Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-Upon-Avon).

Only downside was the traffic on the M6 and M42 if you wanted to go anywhere at peak times, but I drove to work near the NEC and had no problems except at Crufts time.