Leeds, Newcastle or Glasgow?

[banhmi]

I’m planning on moving north from London within the next 12-18 months, with DH and two kids (6 and 4). We’ve narrowed it down to Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow based on the following wish-list:

• Lots going on, lots of buzz, culture, foodie scene, children’s activities etc but easy access to beautiful countryside.
• Lovely parks and other green spaces within the city itself.
• Good public transport, as well as easy/pleasant to walk and cycle. Wouldn’t want to use the car regularly unless it was for getting out of the city, ideally. I love my e-bike which gets me around my area of London much quicker than the car.
• Multi-cultural, diverse – I know definitions of these are subjective but basically somewhere that’s not tooo much of a shock to the system compared to London.
• Good primary and secondary schools (state), not a grammar/selective area or one where a high proportion go private. Not too results-obsessed if possible, with a broad curriculum and lots of opportunities for sport, drama, art etc. Know we’d have to figure out a different school system if we moved to Glasgow (whole other thread no doubt).
• Friendly, somewhere we could put down roots and get involved in the community through the school, volunteering etc.
• Somewhere with enough going on for teens, where they can get around by themselves safely and be as independent as possible.

Would love to know if people that live in these cities think that rings true and if so, which specific areas/neighbourhoods you’d recommend?

We’re fortunate with crazy London prices to have a very good budget for a house, up to £950k although we’d happily spend less. But we’d be looking for 4 bedrooms and separate office space as we both work from home and would want space for family & friends to visit. Would love a nice garden (but doesn’t have to be massive) and storage space for the bikes and other outdoor gear we’d inevitably accumulate. I imagine our budget could get us a house in some reasonably expensive areas but we wouldn’t suit anywhere flashy or too status-driven as we’re very non-flashy, boring people

One city has the edge over the others work-wise, but luckily that doesn’t have to be the deciding factor so I’m going to ignore it for the sake of this question!

Thanks so much for any insights that will help us decide where to focus, and hope my wish-list doesn’t sound too ridiculous

@Michellexxx

When I mentioned top 10 schools, it’s for a reason- people usually want kids to perform well academically and it is far more likely in one fo those schools because of the culture. I’ve worked in different areas and there are some good aspects to other schools, but academic achievement is something most parents hope for. I’ve actually worked in one in west end someone listed, and it definitely had some issues! Sorry to derail! All schools have brilliant aspects, but when looking for an areas with good schools with teens, it’s usually driven towards results

We'll agree to disagree here. I hear you, but it's a wider discussion for another thread, another time. I don't agree with 'because of the culture' it's more to do with professional parents/ home culture/gene pool/tutors. I personally dislike the idea of working class area= poor school. I've worked in the same, working class school all my 27 year career and have seen 1000s of kids go onto all sorts of positive destinations including many into top universities. It's about senior leadership and staff not how much your mum and dad's house cost.

Sorry to derail, I'm pretty passionate about this subject. I'll stop now

I agree with absolutely everything @Puffalicious has said.

@MyHusbandTheIdiot

I agree with absolutely everything *@Puffalicious* has said.

Thanks. I don't mean to bang on. I'm a dyed in the wool socialist and a big supporter of being a 'Working class hero'.

OP, back to your question now.

I also moved from London to Leeds 10 years ago and I also love it. So much to do, very multicultural and some very good schools. With your budget North Leeds is where you want to be. The areas you listed are all very nice but I would add Adel, Alwoodley, Horsforth, Scarcroft (NOT Seacroft😂) you will get a VERY nice detached 4+ bedroom property for that budget.

I live in Newcastle and love it but I would look to either Gosforth or Whitley Bay/Tynemouth.

Gosforth: very central, easily able to walk/run/cycle into city centre. Nice shops and bars etc. Bit of a middle class bubble but without the students that are in Jesmond.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113843891#/?channel=RES_BUY Top of budget

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118748669#/?channel=RES_BUY Bit under

Whitley Bay: very vibrant, lots of nice shops and bars and restaurants but with the seaside too! www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118864316#/?channel=RES_BUY Top of your budget

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118877189#/?channel=RES_BUY Sea view

Tynemouth: again, similar vibe but a bit more exclusive than Whitley Bay?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115852202#/?channel=RES_BUY Top of budget

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115557680#/?channel=RES_BUY Bit under

Leeds is fab. Far Headingley (LS6)/Weetwood (LS16) get my vote any time - loads going on, and all within walking distance. Buses into town are good. Good mix of people (the students actually add to this IME), and it's easy to make friends. It has a 'village' feel, but without the 'small community' disadvantages. Weetwood Primary School is very good (so popular that the catchment area has in the past been restricted to about Weetwood Lane, once sibling places have been allocated). Chapel Allerton is a bit too close to Harehills/Chapeltown for my taste. Roundhay is very solid, and the park is good. The only problem with Leeds is potentially the secondary schools (a lot of people in North Leeds, which is where you'd want to live) end up in the independent system - but Abbey Grange C of E is supposed to be good (though I have no personal experience of this).

I would avoid the likes of Ilkley and Harrogate if you're looking for multicultural.

I also moved from London to Leeds many years ago and loved it. I am near Sheffield now, but still prefer Leeds to Sheffield. It has much more going for it.

DD is a student in Newcastle (yes she is living in studenty Jesmond ), and I have got to know Newcastle pretty well, and love it. We are quite rural where we live so for me, being able to eat my way around the world in Newcastle is a big plus, but you can also do that in Leeds and Glasgow.

Newcastle has excellent public transport and is close to the coast and stunning Northumberland. It is easy to get to the airport on the metro and there are fast rail links to London. It is much more compact than Leeds or Glasgow and the centre is walkable (but still feels big to me because I am a country mouse).

Glasgow has loads going for it, except the weather - it rains a lot, and the shorter days in winter are pretty depressing.

Leeds is warmer than both Newcastle and Glasgow and is buzzing. It has loads of history, culture - Opera North, Northern Ballet, places to eat and a brilliant market.

TBH I would be torn between Leeds and Newcastle.

Newcastle just too COLD!

Scrap all of those and look at Belfast- although does have selective education! But South or east Belfast, Hollywood would give you an amazing house and the people are some of the nicest you will meet.
We moved back from Edinburgh and no regrets!

@Loopytiles

Newcastle just too COLD!

Leeds just too wet!

Having moved from Devon to Leeds I can tell you Leeds is like a dessert compared to Devon!! It's really not that wet.

Leeds. I live in the city and grew up near Ilkley. It's got a lot of green space, vibrant culture, well connected by train to anywhere, big enough not to get bored but small enough not to feel overwhelmed.

Avoid Headingley (LS6) unless you mean Far Headingley/Weetwood/West Park (LS16). North Leeds is very pricey but Roundhay and Chapel A are lovely. Chapel A has more community and is more popular with young professionals; Roundhay more suburban and family oriented.

Uch, this chat of Glasgow weather! It's not that wet- I'm sitting looking at the most stunning, crisp day: we have many of those. Our summer was fantastic this year- loads of sun,much more than down south, I believe. And if it didn't rain at times it wouldn't be so beautifully green!

As our national figurehead, Billy Connolly, says "There's never the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes. So get yourself a sexy anorak and live a little'

Haha @Puffalicious I was about to say the same! Stunning today. Definitely the day for a lunchtime wander around Vicky park

@Puffalicious You sound great Although we've only just started the primary phase and have got a lot to learn I think agree with you re the schools - it's a shame when they become self-fulfilling prophecies. I want my kids to get a broad education which gives them both a genuine love of learning for its own sake and the ability to empathise with and get on with people in all their diversity. I guess the problem is that when you're an outsider looking at schools in a completely new area then their results are the only really tangible things that you have to go on, anything else is both quite subjective and can take some digging to uncover. Digging I'm fully prepared to do, I hasten to add, hence wherever we end up choosing you can guarantee I'll be back here pestering people

@Ikeameatballs Thanks for the links! Love the second Gosforth one - the one needing renovation. That could be absolutely stunning. The first Whitley Bay one is also lovely

@TheDaydreamBelievers

Haha *@Puffalicious* I was about to say the same! Stunning today. Definitely the day for a lunchtime wander around Vicky park

Definitely! My sister lives right beside the park! Meeting her for lunch (day off) but staying South Side, otherwise we could have waved

I know all 3 cities pretty well and in order of preference:
Newcastle
Glasgow
Leeds

But if you want to live in the suburbs or countryside near these places they are all brilliant (especially Northumberland for Newcastle or North Yorkshire for Leeds).

I've lived in Newcastle when I was younger and now live 30 minutes from both Newcastle and Dunham. I was also a student in Glasgow and have visited Leeds many times.

I absolutely love both Glasgow and Leeds and think they both have a fantastic culture for young people so would be great for your teens. I don't know if it's just my perception but I find there to be a lot more run down areas than you would find outside Newcastle.

For me personally I would feel like I couldn't breathe if I was more than 45 minutes away from the coast so that would rule Leeds out for me. Tynemouth and surrounding areas has a great surf culture.

Yup, dig away OP. We're here when you need specific advice. I agree wholeheartedly with your position on diverse education in all meanings of the word. That's why my DC go to the local comprehensives.

If it sways you, DS1 (17) is swithering on university choices right now. His main argument for staying at home and going to Glasgow is that we have the best clubs outside London . Not sure how much clubbing you'll be doing!

I used to live in Glasgow so that one gets my vote. And with your chonky budget I'd definitely go West End-ish rather than the 'burbs.

@MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake

I used to live in Glasgow so that one gets my vote. And with your chonky budget I'd definitely go West End-ish rather than the 'burbs.

👍👍👍

Definitely think Glasgow would fit your bill. It's got loads going on and yet not far from some really stunning countryside.

I agree with looking in Bearsden, Milngavie and the West End. I grew up in Glasgow and always wanted to live in one of the big houses just off Great Western Road. There's a real buzz round Byres Road with loads of great restaurants and bars. We were there for Christmas and it was lovely.

I would put Newcastle second. We now live in the wilds of Northumberland but are only about 40 minutes drive from the centre of Newcastle. The countryside round Hadrians Wall is lovely and the coast is spectacular. If I had your budget I would definitely be looking in Tynenmouth or Gosforth if you want to be nearer the centre.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118464131?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Don't know anything about Leeds.

God I want that house in Gosforth!

@Ihaveoflate

Leeds. I live in the city and grew up near Ilkley. It's got a lot of green space, vibrant culture, well connected by train to anywhere, big enough not to get bored but small enough not to feel overwhelmed.

Avoid Headingley (LS6) unless you mean Far Headingley/Weetwood/West Park (LS16). North Leeds is very pricey but Roundhay and Chapel A are lovely. Chapel A has more community and is more popular with young professionals; Roundhay more suburban and family oriented.

Yes - should have mentioned West Park (LS16). Very, very convenient, and in the catchment for Abbey Grange secondary and St Chad's Primary (I had many friends with DC at the latter). I still have reservations about Chapel A because of its borders. Meanwood is another possibility (Meanwood primary is another ridiculously oversubscribed primary school - you really do have to do the whole church thing to stand a chance of place). It's a bit mixed, but there are pockets of niceness, and it's only on the other side of the park from Far Headingley. There's also a Waitrose. We had to move south due to jobs, but Leeds was a brilliant place to live when the children were children (sadly all adults now).