Where to live in West Yorkshire

lperdios

I am moving to West Yorkshire in the next few weeks and I have the choice of two properties. The first in Garforth and the second in Sandal, Wakefield. I have 3 kids, one is a teenager and I am totally torn in which area to choose. Schools are good in both areas but which is the safest & the best for kids??? Any advice would be much appreciated.

embob74

Garfroth is considered one of the nicer areas of Leeds, the high school always had a good reputation.
I always thought of it as a big village as it is quite large but also fairly isolated to other parts of Leeds so similar to a village.
Never lived there so not sure of crime rates but that can be checked online.
I did find the high street looked a little worse for wear the last time I was there (last year) but that can be said about many high streets with independent shops on it.

lperdios

Thanks for your message. Do you know what Sandal in Wakefield is like?

Bangton

I know a few people who live in Garforth who are very happy there. Plus it's near Leeds so plenty of shops and restaurants/ things to do. If I had a choice id go with Garforth, however I don't know sandal. I do know Wakefield though. ..it's ok but not as good as Leeds for the things I like to do. Plus Leeds is huge so plenty of opportunity for work and you can get everywhere from Leeds. . York is not so far away and would be a good place for children with plenty of trains. Your choice. .

RAS

Transport wise, both are in West Yorkshire so the cheap tranport deals are good.

Garforth and Garforth East rails stations are two/three stops from Leeds Station/about 10 minutes and frequent (5/6 an hour). Sandal to Leeds will be a longer journey. Wakefield is best known for its long pub crawl and rowdy nightlife. For any other ents and the bigger shops you will want Leeds.

Errata

Although Sandal is classed as one of the nicer areas in Wakefield - that's it. Wakefield (and Sandal) is stagnating and has been for quite a number of years which means poor educational, social, transport or job opportunities. Sandal has no shops worth mentioning except the enormous Asda supermarket, and it has no 'centre'.
Leeds is a thriving and booming city with everything people want/need at hand. Garforth would win over Sandal for me on all measures.

DS4215

Sandal has its own station (Sandal & Agbrigg), which links direct into Leeds (via Castleford so slow) and Barnsley/Sheffield. Wakey has some decent shops now (Trinity Walk is new), but Leeds does have more - although only 10 mins on train from Wakefield Westgate station.

Both have advantages and disadvantages.

jemb

I would always plump for Leeds over Wakefield.

Reeny27

Hi, I live in Garforth, lived here for 6 years now (but lived in East Leeds all my life). I love it here and like a previous poster said the schools are very good and I know people who have moved here just to get their kids into the schools. I don't really know Wakefield all that well but if you want any information on Garforth let me know.

Errata

DS4215 wrote: »

Sandal has its own station (Sandal & Agbrigg), which links direct into Leeds (via Castleford so slow) and Barnsley/Sheffield. Wakey has some decent shops now (Trinity Walk is new), but Leeds does have more - although only 10 mins on train from Wakefield Westgate station.

Both have advantages and disadvantages.

I honestly can't think of a single advantage Sandal (just a couple of miles from Wakefield city centre) has. It's nothing more than a collection of roads without centre or heart.

MrsNorthman

I lived in Garforth up until I was 19, would move back there if I could, really nice place, Main Street has most of what you need, failing that there are good bus and rail links, good schools. I now live in Wakefield, near town, I cant speak for Sandal itself as I don't live there but what I've seen when we pass through is nice.

If I had to pick between the two then it would definitely be Garforth, because for me as someone who doesn't drive, it has everything I need, schools, supermarket, shops, library etc all within a reasonable walking distance.