Recommended areas around Leeds

[CatsBumMowf]

We are looking to move from Hampshire to an area commutable to Leeds City centre due to work. I permanently work from home, however my husband needs to be within a reasonable commutable distance to central Leeds. His travel will be infrequent so up to 2 hours will be okay.

We have approx. £350k to spend for a 3-4 bedroom and need a garage and patch of England for a sighthound to do zoomies (a.k.a. a not very small garden for a rather large dog!). We don't have children so schools aren't an issue, but I'd like to continue my volunteer role as a youth worker if possible so an area that has a community feel is a plus.

So far, I'm looking at Methley and the locality - anywhere I should be focussed on? Am I on the right track?

Thank you!

The traffic in Leeds is pretty heavy so you could consider living near somewhere with a railway station. Anywhere on the Wharfedale Line - Guiseley, Menston, Burley in Wharfedale, Ben Rhydding or Ilkley.

Or you could look at areas between Leeds and Harrogate (from Horsforth onwards), or maybe Garforth.

It is many years since I lived in Leeds (Guiseley) so I can't comment on house prices.

Thank you RampantIvy! The ideal situation is getting to Central Leeds within a couple of hours on public transport at most. Most of the time he'll be working from home but it's not ideal to leave home at 3.30am and get home at 8pm as he's doing now!

Wharfedale line could be a bit out of your price range. What about Morley or surrounding villages? Drighlington, gildersome, birstall. All very easily commutable, good schools and lots of amenities especially Morley itself.

Morley is about 20 mins drive from city centre or 10 mins on the train.

Is it 20 minutes in the rush hour?

Ideally we're looking at maximum of an hourish public transport, no consideration for schools as mini-cats-bums aren't on the cards... We'd rather a village/quieter feel. I'd like to volunteer in the community as I have done in my local area for many years....and somewhere for sniffaries for our dog!

Have a look at tong village. Not often that properties come up there but from what you describe I think you would like it!

@RampantIvy

Is it 20 minutes in the rush hour?

Honestly I haven't done the commute in over 2 years due to pandemic and WFH but depending on start time yes it could be, we are a little bit further out and it used to be about half an hour for city centre for us. You can also drive down to park and ride at Elland road which is cheaper than city centre parking.

Wetherby área, Harrogate you can get the train in, Barwick is nice. Not sure about house prices anymore though.

I think you'll find north/west Leeds might be a bit expensive, although depends how far from a train line and 3 or 4 beds. I dont know Methley except to drive through but it always seems nice. I would suggest looking east on the train line that goes to York/hull. Possibly somewhere like Garforth, South Milford or villages that way. If you don't need a train line but want village feel consider Scholes, Barwick in Elmet.

Husband came home after his induction in Leeds head office....sounds like it'll be beneficial for us to move closer, however his office has decent motorcycle parking and we have a bike each, which is good news! We don't have much tying us to the VERY expensive South East, we are both happy to move. Just want to learn more about Leeds suburbs before we do!

@TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo

Morley is about 20 mins drive from city centre or 10 mins on the train.

Why is it nice and does it fit our criteria? We are able to do greater than 20 mins?

I work in central leeds
Most people in our office are in Yeadon, garforth, ponte or woodlesford.
I live in the Calder valley but the nicer/well connected towns are really pricy and obviously the flooding…

The drive in on the A65 from Yeadon is a slow crawl.

I’d recommend public transport regardless! The roads around leeds are vile and city centre parking very pricy

Check out Farsley - up and coming, mentions in national press. Community feel, bars & restaurants. New Pudsey station is a short walk away, 10min train journey to city. Cycle into city on canal towpath, direct bus route into city, and decent roads via ring road for motorcycle/Vespa like I use!

My son lives in Farsley which is lovely, vibrant and has a real village community feel to it.

@CatsBumMowf to me it has a real community feel. Has its own council and town hall. Lovely little cricket club and rugby club that do events during the year, beer festivals, outdoor music days etc. nice pedestrianised high street again with lots of events and special markets. Plenty of parks for doggo. Understand no interest in schools but Morley academy is classed as one of the best in Leeds.

I know you can do longer than 20 mins commute but surely the shorter the commute the more home time you get?

I mean, if a 2 hour commute is do-able you could be looking at Peterborough or Newcastle by train...

York is 45mins by train. Wakefield 15 mins max, Garforth 15 mins, Harrogate 30ish. You've got such a huge area to cover.

So, I'd be thinking if you're willing to train into town, or risk road (as that's going to be potentially slower). Then, towny/big villiagey/small villiagey/countryside. Depending where you want to spend the majority of your time is going to dictate what part of Yorkshire you look at - closer to the coast would suggest east of the city, Dale's would be north. There's a lot to be said for city living, lots of new places being built kyes, even houses with gardens) right in the city. Do you want bustling high streets, or a quiet sleepy village shop? Might there be dc in the future? Do you need to be close to the M1/A1/M62?

Grew up up in horsforth during the 70 and 80s. Couldn't afford to live there now. Even with a £350,000 budget.

I also think being on the train line will help. It’s years since i lived in leeds, (horsforth, hyde park and yeadon). Being on the train line adds an option.

You will struggle to get anything decent in that budget around north Leeds. Have you looked at the villages around Wakefield and Barnsley? Most have decent train links and you will get more for your money in beautiful countryside.

Sherburn in Elmet, lovely village, lots of new build, half hour from Leeds (not in rush hour!) or 25 mins on train from South Milford station. South Milford is ok but limited amenities other than the station.

Woodlesford and Garforth are also ok.
I would stay clear of anywhere like Morley and look at further away villages.
Wakefield way may also work.