Relocating to Yorkshire

DottyThistle

I've been offered a new job in the South East side of Leeds, which will mean relocating. Can anybody recommend a nice safe area to move to. I'm prepared to do up to 30-45 minutes commute. I have been considering Whetherby as I believe it is in the middle of Leeds/Harrogate/York, but I'm not sure what the town is like and if it is within my commuting time.

Any advice would be very welcomed as I don't know the area at all and I'll be a middle aged female moving there on my own.

Many thanks in advance for any responses.

HelenYorkshire

Wetherby is a nice little town, but you'll get caught in a load of traffic (A1, A64, M1) on your commute. Anywhere in the Leeds/Harrogate/York triangle will be pricey! Tadcaster is also in that area.
Are you looking for rural, village, town, suburbs....?

I've not heard of any problems in Garforth, and Methley is supposed to be very nice. Some areas near Temple Newsham are nice, but right next door to some awful bits.

Have a look through the local news
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/east-leeds
http://www.wetherbynews.co.uk/

OneYorkshireLass

Personally I wouldn't drive Wetherby-south Leeds every day, the traffic would drive me mad. However I don't know the shortcuts, just the main route which is v.busy.

I agree with Garforth and Methley, Rothwell is okay too.

Or how about looking around the areas to the north of Wakefield?

The upmystreet website might be of some use: http://www.upmystreet.com/

jjj1980

Churwell/Morley both have very nice parts, as do Gildersome and Tingley. Colton, Oulton and Woodlesford are all nice and are easy commutes to South East Leeds.

I've lived in Leeds since birth, now in my early 30's with a 2 year old and would quite happily live in these areas. Good luck with your search.

DottyThistle

Dear all,

Thank you for your help, I really appreciateit. I will definitely look at these areas.

I'm keen to live in a town with reasonable amenities,rather than a busy city or middle of nowhere village. My intention is to rentfor 6-12 months by which time I hope to have settled and want to make the areamy permanent home.

I’m originally from Scotland now living inCambridgeshire, and I must admit I’m looking forward to having hills and somedecent scenery around me again.

Dotty

more_money_for_me

Can comment on Garforth as have lived here 10 years. You pay a bit more to live in Garforth (for family houses) as schools have a very good reputation. However you have the rail station, well 2 actually, Leeds station in under 15 mins or York in 25 ish. Motorway within 5-10 mins. Best thing I think though is a proper high street, with everything you want on a daily basis, banks, post office, travel agents, coop, greengrocers, music shop, bike shop, etc etc. Decent Italian restaurant and a good Indian restaurant. Lots of community stuff going on if you want to get involved too. Personally really like it. Your money will go a bit further in Kippax, Swillington or Rothwell, but you don't get the same town centre. May also be worth looking at Crossgates, as some nice areas, but feels more part of Leeds than a seperate town. good luck with your search.

DottyThistle

Thank you. This is really helpful.

more_money_for_me

Wetherby by the way is really nice with the river running through. It will cost more than areas like Garforth or Crossgates. You will find more older properties, but at a premium. Wetherby has a nice centre as well. It is also that bit closer to the countryside. The M1 south to Leeds isn't usually as bad as trying to use the M62 or the Leeds ring road in the morning. You should be able to get to areas in SE Leeds from Wetherby within the commute time you suggest. No railway station, but that may not be an issue for you.

Mimi09

Wetherby is certainly safe, the town is lovely, lots going on, with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and gift shops. Its 10 miles to leeds, harrogate and York, so a good location to access most things. Commuting into leeds is fine. It does seem to be more for mature/family people.

If I were going to live in Leeds itself, I would look at the horsforth, cookridge area, Otley is also a really nice market town.

carolan78

I've lived in Leeds all my life and would recommend most of what has already been suggested. I live in Colton, we are literally a minute from the M1 which joins with the M62. There's a Sainburys and small retail park in Colton, along with a few fast food places such as pizza hut kfc.

Up the road we have Crossgates which has a small shopping centre and most banks have a branch there. Crossgates it's self is a bit cheaper for rentals but you need to look at which part the rental is in because some are less quiet than others. Other areas in the LS15 area are Whitkirk, Austhorpe, Temple Gates and Halton. With Halton again you need to look at exactly where it is because some of the streets do back on to the council estate. I don't see that as a major issue (my sister in law has lived near the council estate for years with no issues) but others may do.

In the area you also have Temple Newsam House, which has lovely grounds and a farm, Lotherton Hall is also 10 minutes away which has a bird garden. Halton also has a few shops such as lidl, matalan, tesco express and take aways.

DottyThistle

Thank you all for your comments and advice, they have been incredibly helpful and I've now visited a few times and been around most of the areas suggested.

The places that really grabbed me as were I wanted to go was as I expected around the Wetherby area. I've now made an offer on a property and it has been accepted, so fingers crossed everything goes to plan and I'll be heading up in the very near future.

Looking forward to exploring my new surroundings.

Best wishes to you all.