I've seen lots of previous threads about moving to York, but wondered if I could start yet another one just for me, me, me.
We have been looking for a while to basically cash in on our London house and buy somewhere else, with good schools, open spaces, friendly people, lots of culture, good train links to friends down South, and enough to keep us and our 8yo son busy until we keel over.
We fell in love with York last summer, and although we wobbled a bit (looking at fairly tedious London suburbs with 'meh' secondary schools), I think we're going to bite the bullet.
I now of course spend approx 7 hours a day on right move, reading Ofsted reports, picking friends' brains, and have just got myself all confused about where to look at living.
We want somewhere near open spaces (I love the look of Rowntree Park), but that isn't going to flood every year (although I believe there's some cunning community insurance thing), in the catchment for one of the outstanding secondaries, walkable or cyclable to the city centre, four/five bedrooms, with a garden, and with a friendly community.
Fulford seems great, but one friend I've been speaking to moved there from where we live ATM, and said it's been much harder than she expected to make friends. People tend to be family-oriented, or just stick to the friends they've had for years.
The South Bank area seems great from all aspects other than schools, while Heworth and Heslington also seem nice but have no idea about them.
Looking to spend about £500K.
I'm also confused by school catchments. On the map from the council each secondary has a very defined catchment area, yet on Right Move houses are said to be 'inside admissions area' even if they're outside the official catchment. What gwan?
I'm a TA and tutor and writer and editor, so am hoping I can find some kind of lovely job up there in time...