[Closed] Help me decide where to live (in Yorkshire)

Don't know about rental prices, but Ilkley is a pretty good bet for a couple in terms of bars and whatnot. Not sure it quite matches the cultural life of London town, and there are a lot of older denizens hanging about.

I live up the road in Skipton. Bit more rural, very good town centre with some decent pubs and restaurants, 40 mins approx to Leeds on the train. No culture to speak of, but you could always go into Leeds! There should be plenty of decent flats to rent, possibly quite a bit cheaper.

Riding from both is excellent.

Don't like Otley much, but that's personal prejudice rather than based on anything factual.

Can't see how you've overlooked South Elmsall.

Yeah, slightly concerned about it being like a retirement village - suppose that's the risk of living somewhere a bit rural..

Wikipedia tells me South Emsall has a super drug AND a hallmark cards shop. I think our search is over!

Saltaire?

Will you be working in Leeds? The commute from Ilkley would do my head in.

No, I'll work from home... but how long is the train (presume the length of the commute is what would do your head in?)

Saltaire's on the long list. Seems a bit small though - potential cabin fever. Is there much going on other than the pub?

There will be some Hebden Bridge advocacy, I predict. Not entirely unjustified for a young couple, though.

Train from Ilkley is about 25 mins.

Saltaire itself is nice enough, but living cheek by jowl with Shipley is not exactly a nice prospect.

IMO the riding out of the door in the Aire Valley is better than Ilkley or Otley.

(presume the length of the commute is what would do your head in?)

Saltaire's on the long list. Seems a bit small though - potential cabin fever. Is there much going on other than the pub?

Hmm I think it ticks most of your boxes, just with less options than bigger towns. I like that it's on the canal path too, which opens up more riding options from the door. Pretty parks too.

Holmfirth is a lovely place to live with easy access to Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and so on (Huddersfield's big supermarkets and cinemas are within 25 minutes), trails on the doorstep with the added benefit of the Dark Peak trails which are excellent within a 30-40 minute drive.

It is indeed stunning, and has good night life in terms of bars and pubs (to the point where people are coming from Huddersfield for a night there), and an impressive music scene (google the Picturedrome for an idea of what bands play there).

Holmfirth has easy access to Leeds? It doesn't even have a bloody train station! 🙂

Gotta be the 'Gate....

while Saltaire may be small, it blends into Shipley if you're desperately in need of a swimming pool or supermarket, while Bingley also has (had?) a pool and is one stop further up the train line. Baildon is nice & just over the moor from Saltaire; some great trails right on your doorstep.

Shipley itself is a bit grim and kind of blends into Bradford, which is the nearest big city but again, a bit grim in places, although it does have a few plus points (Alhambra theatre, National Media Museum, more curry restaurants than you can shake a stick at, cheaper housing than Leeds, big swimming pool at Richard Dunne Sports Centre; university & college; Bradford Bulls rugby League & Bradford City FC if you're into your spectator sports).
But if you want proper big city, Leeds is it and on the direct rail line from Skipton via Keighley, Bingley, Saltaire and also on two direct train lines from Bradford).

No doubt the haterz will be out later but Hebden Bridge ticks the largest amount of your boxes IMO. 🙂

Anyone regarding modern train travel as easy is deluding themselves.

Bingley still has a pool.

Is it an easy drive from Holmfirth to Leeds MB? Genuine question, not arguing with you. I like Holmfirth, just couldn't imagine it being particularly "easy" to get anywhere from there

It's not bad, I have done it when I worked in Leeds. Currently doing Holmfirth to Nottingham (short term, fortunately) before moving south (bleurgh) to Matlock and even that's 1hr 15 minutes. It is closer to Manchester, though, which offers a great deal more than Leeds.

Think we had a big "where to live in Yorkshire" thread a week or two back, a search should find it.

So long as all you southerners keep heading to Yorkshire, and leave our Derbyshire house prices alone....

Harrogate

Is it an easy drive from Holmfirth to Leeds MB?

not really, you've got to get through/round Huddersfield, then negotiate the car park that is the M62, and then get off the M62 which is arguably even harder than making progress on it between J23 & J27. Then there's the Beeston/Holbeck area to negotiate...

I do like the Picturedrome for live music, but it's a PITA getting there from Baildon

Im from Hebden....if you can ut up with weirdos, tourists, guardian readers and locals (ex Tunbridge Wells ex-pats) then it des tick all the boxes, and more. Riding round these parts never gets boring!

When we were planning to move to Yorks we'd pretty much settled on either Otley, Horsforth or Adel (ish).

But then things took us in a different direction across the Pennines.

Try Keighley, Dewsbury, Batley or Bradford if you happen to be a middle class Guardian reader and truly believe in multiculturalism 🙂

I prefer Todmorden to Hebden but it's nearly a full hour on the train to Leeds.

Sowerby Bridge has the edge for time-to-Leeds and loads more eateries, big supermarkets (and I think still a pool). Plus close enough to Hebden for an afternoon's mooching around if that takes your fancy.

And the riding is good and extensive (i.e. right the way from Norland moor to Blackstone Edge above Littleborough including the Hebden / Tod trails... and over towards Oxenhope and right the way to Trawden north west - just a massive area to explore).

Sowerby Bridge actually has a lot going for it.
- Good transport links (40 mins to Leeds on train and 10 min drive to the M62 either at Saddleworth or Ainley Top.
- very reasonable house prices
- excellent new (ish - 3 years old I think) pool
- more and more nice places to eat and drink opening all the time plus Gimbals, the best restaurant in the world
- cracking riding, if anything, better than Hebden IMHO partly because its a bit unknown and off the radar of those who charge past on the way to the well publicised stuff around Hebden

Another option could be the Savile Park/Skircoat Green area of South Halifax. £5 trip in a taxi to Sowerby Bridge for a night out, 20 minute walk to Halifax station, 5 mins to M62, lovely houses and a little villagey feel in Skircoat Green with the shops and pubs. Riding is if anything, better than Sowerby Bridge....

BTW, we're from York and moved to the aforementioned area of Halifax temporarily for a job with the aim of moving back to York. That was 12 years ago.

Put this on facebook the other night during a late evening ride from the doorstep... Literally cannot think of anywhere else around here I'd want to live:
[img] [/img]

Barnsley, York, Thirsk or even Northallerton could tick quite a few boxes for you too. Depends on your preferences for riding and countryside though.

If I didn't need quick access to M62, I'd have moved to a Halifax area. The combination of property values and scenery/location is quite compelling, until you think "how will I get to work?".

If I was always working from home? I wouldn't think twice!

Quick access to the M62? I can be on it in 5 minutes from my house?!

I work in Bradford so 20 minute walk, 13 minute train journey and I'm there (in the hell hole that is Bradford).

I wouldn't touch York if you want MTB from the door. Good road riding though.

Now now, that's naughty and you know it!

If you live 5 mins from the M62 in an HX postocde then that's super, but anything other than that, which the majority of options will be, the A629 is a **** to get onto motorway, at anything other than before 6:15am.

Worse still if you're relying on the A58 to get to Leeds.

Move to Idle - see if you can still get membership of the Idle Workings Men's Club.

Used to be a nice restaurant opposite, a long time ago....

DBW - pack it in, everyone will want to move round here if you keep selling it to them 😉

Think if I was you, my first choice would be Harrogate. Then Skipton or ilkley. Then Otley or bingley. I think skip is 40 min to leeds on the train. Harrogate is a proper big town and has some culture, with plenty to do and going on, loads of restaurants theatre cinema good town centre etcetc. Skipton and Otley town councils seem to be very proactive with plenty of events. Bingley a touch down market to the others but has the best doorstep MTB IMO. you won't go wrong with Ilkley.

There's plenty of riding on Otley Chevin and further afield if you know where to look. And plenty more to the North, regular 20 mile rides straight out of town.

Sorry Jason 😉

And agreed bear-man - A58 is a nightmare. I'd hate to regularly commute by car anywhere from Halifax towards Leeds. I do it now and again into Bradford from mine and its just tedious and takes as long as my usual train/walk commute.

I'd recommend Guiseley over anywhere.

its got the pool a DH track, great XC, pump track down the road, restaurants, bars, train station, great road rides out the door.

perfect spot

A downhill track in Guiseley? Esholt Woods I presume?

B-I-N-G-L-E-Y

Another vote for Guiseley. 12 mins by train into Leeds, train station has a large car park, plenty of cycling on your doorstep, variety of pubs (good, bad and ugly) a mixture of typical yorkshire terraces and some new build on brownfield sites.

I live in Skipton and can highly recommend it. Plenty going on, loads of good riding on the door step, Leeds + Manchester within easy reach.

I would not consider Ilkley. Way over priced and has nothing going on. Having lived around the area most of my life and spent quite a lot of time working and socializing in the town when younger I have still to find out why it has the great reputation it does. Thinks it's a mini Harrogate. Is not.

Work in Harrogate and it's a very nice, if pricy place to live. Probably the place the most 'London like' around here.

Otley and Bingley are not bad shouts either.

BTW if you do consider looking at Harrogate, I think Cold Bath Rd area is nice. Plenty of rent properties, local shops/cafes/restaurants/park, but only short walk into main town centre. Pub at bottom of road is one of the best in town for ales (or was a few years ago).

If I moved back up that way I would consider Otley, Guiseley, Menston and Horsforth if easy access to Leeds was important - of these I would probably choose Otley as there seems to be lots of community events on every time I go back to visit.

Harrogate would be a lovely place to live but I don't know enough about mountain bike routes, though road riding would be awesome, and has lots of stuff going on as well as easy access to all that Leeds has to offer.

Lots of good suggestions. Wherever you end up I'd recommend being on the train line. That's one problem with Otley.

Being able to go out in Leeds and then easily get the last train home is a definite advantage. The Aire valley and Wharfe valley train service is generally excellent. Anyone who suggests otherwise should try commuting into London for example.

Can't see how you've overlooked South Elmsall.

Funniest thing I've read... Ever..!

He's clearly seen Sth Kirkby & was spoilt.

Otley would be out for me as not on train route.

Not too sure what the OP is after. Ilkley is a wealthy retirement town. Other areas in no way will compare to London.

Saltaire would be on my list. Its got 3-4 half decent pubs, a lot of 'young professional' types and genuine community feel. Riding from your doorstep. Train to Leeds in 15 mins, a very good swimming pool if you can get past how grim it looks. Just don't ever attempt to drive in to Leeds from there at rush hour

All reasonable advice but……you'll be wanting North Leeds. It's as simple as that.

Close to the city. Close to amenities. Close to culture. Reasonable riding on the doorstep. Only reasonable mind but it's good enough. Much better riding from 30 mins to an hour away in Otley, Ilkley, Baildon, Bingley, Hebden, Todmorden, etc, etc.

Just over an hour is the Peak. Just under two is the Lakes. The list goes on.

The only thing you may struggle with, area dependent, is the size of property for that amount of money. When we were renting it cost us £850 for a 3 bed house.

OP I would suggest you come up and have a look about. Plenty of nice places with riding on your doorstep. But If your after mini London then York is your place, although obviously not exactly near Leeds. Failing that Ilkley or Skipton could be to your liking.

Thanks all. A few new ideas thrown into the mix.

I think Hebden and Sowerby both sound good, but on reflection are maybe too far. We also have more family North/East of Leeds and York way.

Saltaire - lots of young professionals sounds good, but I'm still not convinced there is anything more than a couple of good pubs in the town itself to keep us interesting. And going to Shipley or Bradford frequently doesn't appeal.

Harrogate could be a decent shout. Just about close enough, decent town in its own right although the walking and cycling is perhaps not "from the door"

Ilkley gets mixed reviews then - I am worried about it being a retirement village more than anything else.

Otley seems good too - but lack of train sounds like my regular trips to London or airport could be a challenge

Nobody mentioned Knaresborough - any reason? Too far?

We're coming up soon to look around a bit more (not moving until after the summer). Think I'll go and make a spreadsheet now - seems the right thing to do

Is it Leeds Bradford Airport you need or somewhere else? Otley is very handy for LBA, although the distance to the train station would rule it out for me. The Aire Valley is pretty well served - there is a direct early train to Kings Cross from Skipton, bizarrely.

Ilkley does have a lot of old folk, but lots of families and younger people too, and there is a theatre etc there - again though, you'd be heading to Leeds for 'culture'.

Nobody mentioned Knaresborough - any reason? Too far?

although the walking and cycling is perhaps not

And if you live on the Skipton side of Harrogate it is almost a clear road to the Dales (ie, you don't have to drive through the town).

Then there's Stainburn...

My GF has just got a teaching job in Sowerby, we will be relocating from Herefordshire this summer. This thread has made be genuinely quite excited for it! Sounds like there will be plenty of riding to keep us entertained. 🙂

My GF has just got a teaching job in Sowerby, we will be relocating from Herefordshire this summer. This thread has made be genuinely quite excited for it! Sounds like there will be plenty of riding to keep us entertained.

Have a watch of Happy Valley to really get yourselves excited. 😛

If you choose Otley you could always make the short drive to Menston station for a train into Leeds.

but lack of train sounds like my regular trips to London or airport could be a challenge

There is a direct train from Shipley to Kings Cross every morning. Gets in before 9.00.

And from Harrogate

Denby Dale has everything you want and its only 9 miles from Langsett/cut gate.

Just saying!

only guiseley has this at the end of the street

only guiseley has this at the end of the street

Only? Surely it's closer to Baildon.

Went through this process 2 years ago, north leeds, guiseley, harrogate etc.

Settled on Ilkley, despite some people saying its cliquey and full of old people, I have found it great, made loads of friends through ICC and harriers and my wife has a social network via the school mums. I guess it would be a bit dull if you are pre kids, but the other benefits are direct access to moors, 2 mile from national park, direct train to leeds in 25 mins, many great sports clubs, loads of good restaurants and cafés, 4 great pubs and one crap nightclub!

Can be expensive though, lots of ex london people (me inc) here, but I'd certainly rather be here than in suburban leeds / Aire /Calder valley

Ilkley moor has the best riding in the area if your after "XC/Enduro" (read mountain biking). Good, friendly bike shop (Ilkley cycles) with plenty of rides from the shop.
As long as you live in the wharfe valley Ilkley is east to get to.

These are my opinions on some of the town mentioned by other posters:

Ilkley - thinks its nice but gets really touristy at the weekends.
Guiseley - split in half (one side ok, and we call the other bit yeadon, gulp)
Otley - slightly inbred
Skipton - inbred with sheep
Bingley - unambitious people carrier drivers
Saltaire - canal folk and Fanny"s (how they fit so many people into such a small area i don't know)
Menston - snooze....

There is plenty of riding round here though and something for everyone.

I think you sould live specifically in this house.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45160231.html