Moving to West Yorkshire

[isthatpoisontoo]

After months of scrimping and stress, DP and I managed to get a mortgage for our house, previously owned by him and his ex-wife. Much rejoicing followed, and we started planning our wedding (in February), decided to try for a baby, and I secretly started choosing nursery decor.

DP has just been offered his dream job. I'm really happy for him, but... It's in Wakefield.

Part of me wants to say that if he wants it, he can just commute, but when I'm at home with the baby I'll probably care more about having him home before 8pm. If I'm going to sell my house and move, I'd rather do it now than when I'm pregnant.

We're looking for places to live around Wakefield that would allow us to port the mortgage, so up to about PS125,000. We live in Greater Manchester atm, and we love that it's diverse, cosmopolitan, etc, but we're also close to the countryside.

Are there nice areas in Leeds we could buy for this budget? There are some lovely houses in the villages between Leeds and Wakefield, does anyone have any input on what it's like to live there? I grew up in an East Yorkshire market town, and struggled with the small town mentality. DP has only ever lived in Manchester and London, he's always shocked to discover that in some places the restaurants stop serving at 10pm and the shops close late afternoon! Am I mad to think we could settle outside the city?

I'd really appreciate any advice.

The commute over the Pennines during the rush hour is horrible. I live just off Woodhead pass and it is a nightmare with bottle necks near the Manchester end. The M62 is not much better because it carries so much more traffic, and is regularly closed due to accidents.

Not moving to God's own county is not an option IMO. Leeds is very diverse and has loads to offer. I think you could look at houses in the Rothwell/Woodlesford/Oulton area.

I also think that you need to get away from the idea that life comes to a full stop outside London or Manchester, because it ain't so.

Oh dear, the commute does sound fairly awful. He wanted to do it by motorbike --we had a conversation.

Thank you for the suggestions! I really like the look of Woodlesford, it is on the list. I'd love to hear more about what Rothwell is like.

I don't think life comes to a stop outside London and Manchester. I've lived in Belfast, Cardiff and Liverpool, and had a great time. If we were moving to Leeds itself, I'd be very confident. I'm just getting seduced by lovely houses in places like Woodlesford, then wondering what those places would actually be like to live in. I appreciate your help.

Which side of Greater Manchester are you on? I commuted from Manchester to Leeds for years - did look at moving to Leeds at one point to be closer to work but imo, the schools are better in Manchester (sweeping generalisation I know!) and I much preferred Manchester. It can be done, its a bit of a killer in winter but it becomes second nature. Also, my commute was a small sacrifice if it meant we lived in an area we liked, children were happy in school/nursery (in Manchester) and H was in a job he liked (in Manchester). I did adjust my start / finish times to try to avoid too much congestion.

I'd also think whether this is likely to be a long term job for your DP or whether he will move again (away from Wakefield) and you'll be living in a place that isn't ideal.

If you are considering a move, I would consider Leeds (and surrounding market towns / villages) rather than Wakefield.

H, some of the villages close to Wakefield are nice, close to the M1 and very convenient for Leeds and Sheffield.

I currently live n a new build estate close to the motorway, about 20 mi utes from Wakefield and you can get a 2 bed flat overlooking the lovely playground for PS100,000.

Also, have you looked at Barnsley, some areas are quite cheap.

Yeah, don't commute, it'd be grim. I used to do Leeds-Huddersfield for uni and that was bad enough.

I've only ever lived in Leeds itself - fairly inner-city - so I can't answer your question about living in the outer villages. I know people who do, though, and transport etc seems to be good. Could it be worth looking at Garforth/South Milford etc and then at least you've got the option of the train station too?

Alternatively you could look at Morley/Churwell - fairly close to Wakefield but also close enough to Leeds centre.

Try Huddersfield, easily commutable by train and I know someone els said the commute is grim we've never had any trouble.
Housing is mostly cheap with nice villages quite close to Town and Manchester is easy to get to as well.

We're on the good side of ManchesterStockportish so I think if I had settled children and a good job I wouldn't move. You're all saying it's a fairly nasty journey, though, and since I work mostly from home, I think it's fairer to move.

DP will be in Wakefield for at least two years, he could apply to move to the Manchester office after that. That's exactly the point when, if we stayed, I'd probably be bringing up moving to a lower crime area anyway (I want to be able to take the planned children to the corner shop without them witnessing an incident), so what we do then is moot.

How's the new build, Glen? DP likes the idea of a new build, but I worry it'll seem cramped, we're in a high ceilinged Victorian terrace atm.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm circling them on a map and we'll do a little tour at the weekend.

What's Huddersfield like to live in, Hoppinggreen? I hadn't thought of looking there.

We were in a slightly different situation where our move involved a toddler so we had schools to consider.

I totally agree that the M62 commute would be hell. Dh did junctions 28 to 24 daily for work with a drive on some A roads after that. Not very nice.

As I pass the sign regularly I thought I would tell you that the M62 is the highest motorway in England! So those tops of the Pennines see snow even when the rest of us don't. We live in Leeds an have family in Manchester.

We did live in Wakefield but always preferred shopping in Leeds city or White Rose Shopping Centre.

As with most Northerners, we are a friendly lot, so ask questions. It is what we did. We talked to dog walkers, old people, people walking back from school runs to see what they thought of the school and the area.

We chose where we live now for access to M62 and M1 for Dh's work. We originally wanted north Leeds but the ring road was hell to try to get down to a motorway junction, hence the move to Wakefield. Then we moved for a secondary school catchment.

The villages between Wakefield and Leeds are much more reasonably priced than north Leeds and there are some lovely parts, though I don't know them particularly well.

I wouldn't move at all if it was a question of being back in Manchester potentially in 2 years. Just the cost of selling your house (estate agent fees), movers, cost of buying a new house (surveys, stamp duty, legal fees) would take quite a chunk off your budget (proportionately).

Then you have the "hassle" factor of getting your current house ready for sale, all those jobs that need doing, trips over to Wakefield to look at houses, going through the whole stress of buying again. Only my view although after children, I quite looked forward to the peace and quiet of an hour in the car on my own so strangely I got to enjoy the commute its just not worth it!

Re the commute, could he take a day off work and actually do it at the time he would be doing it? Spend the day looking round Wakefield and then head back at the time he would be leaving the office?

Plus you have said that he will be definitely be in Wakefield for two years and then could apply to move to the Manchester office but there is no guarantee on that. 2 years is a long time to plan ahead.

So how would you work antenatal appointments etc at such a distance apart if he did commute? The reason we relocated 100 miles is because work opportunities were drying up for Dh in our small town area and his commute was 1 hour and we had a newborn. He was devastated to add 2 hours to his work day. Hence why in the end we moved to Wakefield/Leeds for his job.

unwilling if the OP's DP is travelling from Stockport to Manchester, he's already doing a commute of some sort. I think its a good idea to try the commute at the time he'll do it - but it may not make a massive difference, not necessarily hours.

Not sure I understand the point about antenatal appointments - surely you arrange appointments at the start / end of the day so its not a massive disruption to his work day if you can, you go alone or he books time off like most husbands do?!

You're right, namechanged it is a lot of hassle. Returning to Manchester isn't certain, though, he can ask after two years, but they may not want him! I imagine DH may enjoy the commute when we possess a screaming child, but I don't know how much I'd enjoy waiting for him to get home! I'm hoping we can find somewhere we'd like to stay for several years nearer to Wakefield.

I shall implement the talking to people idea, theUnwilling. We'll go for a little tour of the places between Leeds and Wakefield this weekend, and accost people!

Can't you rent till you find out what's happening in 2 years' time? Give you a chance to try somewhere out.

Sorry, cross-post.

Re: the commute. At the moment he can putter to work on his motorbike in about 30 mins. The job starts soon, so he'll have to get the train initially from here (1hr 40mins). Learning to drive is a condition of the job, so he'll hopefully be able to drive there soon, but a) it's a long commute for a new driver and b) we'd have to buy him a car. The train tickets are expensive, too, so the expense of moving house doesn't seem unreasonable.

It would be easier if he worked nearby for the ante-natal appointments, but I guess he'd just book leave and we'd work it out. It would be nice is he was around more, though, I'm sure I'll want his support while I'm pregnant.

80s we could rent, but we'd have to rent this place out, and I hate the idea of being an amateur landlord. I've had so many bad experiences with them! Also, I was so happy to get my own home and be in control of it.

If he already rides a motorbike then you could book him in for an intensive driving course. My sister did it that way round as she had a motorbike so the whole road awareness stuff is already known, it is just the mechanics of driving a car.

The whole just being closer to where he works would be easier for lots of reasons.

I have moved twice for Dh's much better paid jobs. Both times I have left a job for him and sadly a best friend who is 3 hours away But that is the choice we made, he has a career, I had jobs.

I love Leeds, everything about it. I am glad I moved here, and I am a born and bred Lancashire girl.

Our houses are spacious. Our bedroom easily accommodates a super king bed and furniture. We are just off j38. Close to good schools, 2 fab childminders on the estate, lovely community, very active residents association!

I luffs where we live!

isthatpoison. I really like Huddersfield, it's a Uni town so a bit more cosmopolitan than some towns round here.
There are most shops available as well as a good Theatre, cinema, restaurants etc but as with all large towns there are grotty bits too. There is usually something going on with food festivals etc and we can find things to do most weekends
We can easily get to Leeds or Manchester by car or train. Wakefield s very easy by train from here.
We live in a village about 15 mins walk from Town with all the amenities we need and good Primary schools too. Our local Secondary is good.
Our area isnt the cheapest but for £180000 you should get something a good size in a nice area.

glen . You are quite near me. I'm just off jct 37 on the posh side of Barnsley. We have outstanding primary schools and good secondary schools. I really like where we live and can be in Leeds or Sheffield within half an hour (not in rush hour traffic though)

Definitely try out any commute before you buy. It's 9 years since I moved from near Holmfirth and I would only go across the Pennines on a Sunday. M62, Snake Pass and Woodhead Pass were all extremely congested and closed because of snow regularly in the winter.
Many nice villages around and housing is cheaper in Barnsley. I personally never really liked Leeds - didn't seem to have much sense of humour. (That's a terrible generalisation, and I apologise if you know different!)
Good luck.

Some info you're being given isn't quite correct. In the 12 years I commuted on the M62 it was never closed due to snow. Don't get me wrong, plenty of delays (different to closure) and accidents but it's such a well used road, I think it must be prioritised for gritters / clearing to keep it open. Snake pass / wood head pass are different.

OP I didn't realise your DP doesn't drive. That puts a different spin on things. It's not a good route on a motorbike ever and I'd be worried about him doing that level of motorway driving as someone who had just passed.

I have friends in Huddersfield and they love it - I like visiting!

Ooh, very close bunbaker. We are right on the border of Barnsley and Wakefield. It's ace. I don't drive but can get anywhere within an hour, really good public transport.

And Barnsley has gotten loads better in the last few years, there's tons for kids to do and its really friendly. I muchprefer it to Leeds and Sheffield