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.

I second what BikeRunSki said re the area between Huddersfield, Barnsley and Wakefield. There is some really lovely countryside in that area, I think it's a bit of a hidden gem personally, and some very nice solid good value villages. Commenting from those villages would be reasonably painless along A roads. Most roads not particularly problematic in winter apart from the very high up ones.

Commuting, not commenting obvs.

If you're considering in Huddersfield, Lindley is the best area in my opinion, with a nice village feel and good shops and eateries.

SealSong is right. The A636 from Wakefield @ M1 J39 to Denby Dale and on to Holmfirth is kept open in bad weather, as it is a potential diversion if parts of the M62 have to close for any reason. I live about 100m off it.

Lindley is nice, but N Hudds is not great for commuting to Wakefirld. Getting across Huddersfield itself can take the best part of an hour at times. You could go round m62/m1 but those roads are car parks at rush hour. Hudd - Wakey trains usually packed!

OP, Reading your last post, I think you should look at Leeds. The lovely countryside I have been extolling doesn't really do hipster, although my village has a real ale shop.

it sure is seal!!!!!!!

BikeRunSki, I got as far as Denby Dale one day in the snow, travelling from Wakey to Holmfirth. Luckily I knew someone who lived there. Pregnant and desperate for Heinz Tomato Soup, I was very worried. Not about getting stuck, just about the soup! That's the only time I got completely stuck.
OP, Leeds sounds more like your sort of place!

Teeny - I live in in the village before Denby Dale and DD is addicted to Heinz Tomato soup - you're welcome anytime.

Thanks, BRS, I'll remember that!

How did you get on? Did you see anywhere you like?

Thanks for asking, Teeny.

We went and had a look, I liked Woodlesford and parts of Methley a lot, but I think we're going to stay put. We could afford a livable house there, just, but they all seem like much riskier investments than our current one. I'm terrified of being stuck there, trying to sell a house that no one wants to buy.

We're going to ask the mortgage company if they'll let us let the house out, then we could rent a place nearer Wakefield. We can't even ask for a couple of months, though, you've got to have had the mortgage for 6 months.

I'm a bit sad we'll be starting married life living apart Monday-Friday, but glad I can stay in my house. DP will have to find himself a room in Wakefield, but he'll have time to study and pass his assessments with flying colours! I might look into getting a lodger of my own, come to think of it.

I'm still grateful for all the help. Hopefully I'll be able to join you all in West Yorkshire when DP has gone up a pay grade or two.

Sounds like a good plan! Woodlesford is nice and I have happy memories of doing a teaching practice many years ago in Methley. I live in Devon now and have forgotten what congestion is like, but I do miss the stone walls of Yorkshire. Among other things! Hope all goes well for you.