York, Harrogate?

[keepingitrealnow]

We are away soon for our second visit to Harrogate, York and surrounding areas. We really loved Harrogate it has so many shops, cafes, restaurants, open spaces, parks etc but you don't get much for your money in terms of properties.

We enjoyed visiting York and mostly felt like tourists but did get a look around a number of lovely areas around York. We are really trying to find the right place for our family to move to (inc two primary aged children). So far we have travelled to and or through Harrogate, Pannal, Knaresborough, Wetherby, and towards York: Strensall, Haxby, Wigginggton, Easingwold (lovely) Stillington, Upper Poppleton (expensive!), Thirsk, Sutton on the forest. We wanted to visit Malton, Dunnington, Wilberfloss, Pocklington, Wheldrake, Elvingnton but we didn't have time. We also didn't get to Bishopsthorpe or Copmanthorpe which were on our list. In respect of York, we wouldn't want to be next to student areas or obviously flood risk areas...

I would love to hear opinions on what areas would be suitable for our family, we don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere or feel isolated. Good travel links, access to shops, cinemas, restaurants, and life in general along with friendly community are important to us. We don't mind a 30 minute commute into city/town if need be but would prefer (if budget allows) to live closer to amenities but with some leafy green surroundings (if possible ). Budget seems to be the problem, up to £300k but less of this is possible?!

Sorry it's long but hopefully someone can point us in the right direction or at least rule out some of the above.

How many bedrooms are you looking for? And do you have children and if so, how old are they? Are you looking for school places?

I used to live in Harrogate but moved to Ripon. Lovely market town, great schools both primary and secondary, nice coffee shops etc and you are only 5 mins from the A1, 20 mins from Harrogate, 40 mins from York. One of the many bonuses being house prices are a lot cheaper!

Thanks, we have two children 5 and 7 so will be looking for primary school places. Looking for 3 bed house. We are used to having space in terms of house size and garden but realise we may need to compromise. We just done want to end up like sardines in a can somewhere.

Do you need to commute to York and Harrogate for work?
I was going to suggest Ripon too.
Skipton is more affordable and accessible to Harrogate and might be worth a look (but a bit far if you need to travel to York).

Thanks @Whathappenedtothelego. We don't know yet we need to find new jobs! Looks like Ripon is popular, a friend of ours also mentioned that area.

All of the areas you've mentioned are nice. It really does come down to personal preference in terms of size of the town and so on. Do you know anything about the job market for your careers? I'd have thought that would have a big influence.

Also, if it's countryside you're after then Ripon and Harrogate are closer to decent hill walking. (It's still a bit of a trek from York to get up to the north york moors.)

Thanks for replying. Between us I think we'll be ok for work, staying with a 30-ish minute drive from either Harrogate or York would be a good starting point.

I've got friends who live very close to Ripon. It's lovely.

Pocklington does tick all your boxes - kids can walk to all the schools, there's supermarkets, a really succesful cinema/arts centre, lots of local shops, pubs, the Wolds on your doorstep and an easy commute to York or Hull - and a house is definitely affordable on your budget.

Thanks @wineymummy i'll have a closer look at Pocklington it's come up quite a few times.

So we live in Wilberfoss, we really like it - but I guess it's whether you prefer to be more in the middle of things in Pocklington? Wilberfoss is lovely because it's more rural and quieter, but Pocklington is just down the road. Wilberfoss is also really family friendly, the school is great and there's lots of clubs for the kids. Both are really friendly with good communities.

I'm not sure how it will be when they are teenagers - mine are primary like yours, secondaries you'd be looking at Pocklington or York. There is more for teenagers in Pocklington I think. And you'll get more for your money in Pocklington.

Dunnington - some love it, it's very expensive, and imo a bit snobby?! Close to York though. Elvington - love it, watch for flooding, some bits are ok though I think. Nice & close to Grimston Bar roundabout for access to York and Leeds.