Horsforth (and maybe surround areas?) anywhere to avoid?

[KTD27]

Hi all
Life has turned upside down a bit for us and we are looking at doing a VERY quick relocation to the north from London. Closer to my family and hopefully some job prospects for me and DH. Horsforth is coming up over and over as a nice place for us to move to - we have two D.C. one will be starting school in September and one is 2 in summer.
Is there anywhere in particular to avoid in Horsforth or the surrounding areas? Any black spots in terms of school catchment areas? We will probably need to rent first but ideally would like DS to start very close to the beginning of his reception year if there are any spaces at all once we have an address. Sigh. Don’t suppose you know if all schools are oversubscribed?
Stressing much?!!
Any help or advice would be appreciated!

We live in Far Headingley/Weetwood (a bit further away from the studenty area of Headingley). I love it. Much prefer it to Horsforth. The schools are great, there are loads of good restaurants, shops etc. It's a quick drive up the road to be in beautiful countryside and forests, close to the Dales/York/Ilkley/Harrogate. Easy to get in to Leeds City Centre.

Far Headingley/ West Park would definitely be my choice. We’re now in Cookridge and it’s lovely, but we don’t have a nice high street here. (But a spacious detached for a great price, so it depends on your priorities). If we had your budget , we’d go to West Park. Worth driving around the area and getting a feel of it.

What about Guiseley? The train links to Leeds and Bradford are pretty good. I don't know about schools though as we lived there pre children.

Ditto about the crime rate in Headingly. I would avoid it for that reason alone.

@SallyWD yes have been looking there I like the location - not much on the market house wise but we would rent first anyway I think to move the process on a bit quicker. Only issue there is finding a rental which isn’t Headingley!

@Tiuriwiththewhiteshield I found a great house in cookridge! no high street is a bit of an issue but not as much as no school place! I can compromise. And honestly weekends are currently full of football, gymnastics and ballet so god knows what lifestyle I’m living in my head but real life isn’t one with cafes and brunches. That said - I’d rather the opportunity was there if I could manage it

@Ginfordinner I was looking at Guiseley too! My mum knows it well. Wasn’t sure if it was a bit far out to get into a hospital for DS. Sounds negative really but it is unfortunately something we need to consider

The 96 minutes on the bus was a particularly bad traffic day (there had been an accident on Kirkstall Road I think). But I'd still avoid the bus if possible. Traffic is bad getting into the centre but I wouldn't be wanting to drive to work if it was in the centre anyway. If you're not in the centre then it really does depend on whether you're having to get through any bottlenecks (I can drive to work, about 5 miles away, in 20 minutes typically).

If you're looking Headingley way then I really like Beckett's Park. But there are a lot of student houses around, and the nice family homes don't come up that often.

Cookridge is nice too, and about the same distance from Horsforth Town street as West Park is from the centre of Headingley. Handy for the train station as well.

What about Adel?

I totally understand about hospitals. We stayed in the same area for DD as our GP was excellent, and we needed to be nearish to the children''s hospital.

@ginfirdinner Adel is lovely. It really feels like a country village yet easy to get in to Leeds. I would say it's very quiet and well to do. If OP likes these sorts of places then it would suit her. If she prefers somewhere a bit more lively then Headingley or a Horsforth has more going on.

Fab! Will check out Adel too! Off to google it right now...

If your family are in Halifax why not try Bingley or Saltaire? Good schools, 20 mins on train to Leeds and straight drive to Halifax,

Not a huge fan honestly. And likely both myself and my husband will work in Leeds so it makes sense to be closer to DS if we need to dash and get to him.

all Leeds areas mentioned are horrendous for commuting. What seems like an easy commute will take ages. If you’ve discounted saltaire (which ticks most of your boxes) have you thought about Wakefield? Only 12 mins to Leeds on the train. Your 500k could get you this
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81041156.html
Which is 10 mins from the station and 10 mins from the hospital.

Hadn’t thought about wakey. Haven’t been since I was a younger girl. We will give it a look but given our preference yes it would be Leeds.
Commuting doesn’t bother me too much - london after all. As I said it’s more schools at the moment. But it’s all a bit of a moot point until we have a timescale and whilst super likely to be pre spring we won’t know for certain until our house is sold so it gives us a bit more time to ponder (and plutz)

Though I LOVE the high ceilings and features of that house!!

@ginfordinner we have a period property close to the cricket ground and have never experienced crime. A few student parties but no crime. Headingley is now under a protected area so noise and anti social behavior isn't tolerated. I love knowing there are always student around and the sporting events are brilliant- we were at the Ashes last year for Stokes' performance. Personally I wouldn't live anywhere else in Leeds. North Lane has a farmers market, and they even closed it to cars last year - and there is a great family community that thrives alongside the students. The HEART center is fab and offers all sorts of activities. Great restaurants too and Sebbys deli just up the road. Check out headingleyleeds.com

If you like that house, this one is even more beautiful
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82512929.html
And has it’s own hay loft!
And is only 5 mins to the station.

There's sometimes very nice period houses up for sale in the Grove Lane area between Headingley and Meanwood.

This thread is so so helpful. DH was a student in Leeds and is a bit that Headingley has changed so much in the 1000 years since he’s been there. Think he will love it actually

I think the big change for students has been the loss of halls of residence through Headingley and up to Boddington. There are still a lot of students living there though, more so as you go towards Hyde Park. There is still the buzz around though, and there are places like the Brudenell which is probably one of the best independent live music venues in the country.

Renting might be tricky for a family as most rentals are set up for students or young professionals rather than families. I'm sure there are some around though. I had a quick look and found this one, which to me is a great location - close to 3 or 4 primary schools if any do have places crop up, 10 minutes walk to Meanwood park with a playground for the kids, in between facilities of Meanwood and Headingley.

Ooh @whatsthecoming that’s lovely and so helpful of you thank you!!!

@whatsthecomingoverthehill that's a great spot - nice quiet community but close enough to Otley Rd.

The area around St John’s in Wakey is really very nice, and super handy for a selection of private schools, but nowhere is Wakey compares to Horsforth, Headingley, Adelaide, Otley etc

Adel, not Adelaide!

I’d take Adelaide