66 replies to this topic

[ali]

Hi All,

I am writing this on behalf of a friend who is moving up north with his girlfriend due to work. He has landed a job halfway between Leeds and Manchester and is trying to decide where he should live. They are city people, so are debating whether to move to Leeds or Manchester.

Basically they want to live somewhere that is relatively happening. Somewhere where there are plenty or professional young couples or singles, good restaurants, nice parks and plenty going on etc. They are going to rent.

They've been to both Manchester and Leeds before and like both cities. So what they really need to decide now, is where exactly in those cities would be the best place to live.

Does anyone have any recommendations of parts of Leeds or Manchester that would fit the critieria?

[Wolford6]

The traffic in both cities is shocking, with huge congestion at all relevant motorway exits. If your friend is going somewhere midway-between, he would be better off moving somewhere nearer his work, especially as housing costs are much cheaper.

Brighouse and Cleckheaton are nice places with the best motorway links, but Cleck has no railway station and neither has a great social scene.

He might consider Hebden Bridge ... friendly, good social life, beautiful part of the world, benefits of both town and countryside. There are trains every hour or less to both Manchester and Leeds; the town is full of such commuters. It's best described as the most bohemian town in the north of England.

Some specimen properties:
http://www.anthonyjt...es/for_sale.asp

To my mind, Sowerby Bridge has similar characteristics, but Todmorden is a dump.

Over on the smelly side of the border, Rochdale is okay but Oldham is a dump. It's safe to say that more Lancastrians migrate to Yorkshire than the other way round.

[Trojan]

He might consider Hebden Bridge ... friendly, good social life, beautiful part of the world, benefits of both town and countryside. There are trains every hour or less to both Manchester and Leeds; the town is full of such commuters. It's best described as the most bohemian town in the north of England.

Least cloned town in Britain. Good rail links to both cities but the road links are pretty poor.

[Griff9of13]

Over on the smelly side of the border, Rochdale is okay but Oldham is a dump. It's safe to say that more Lancastrians migrate to Yorkshire than the other way round.

Take it you've never been to Morcambe then? West Yorkshires most westerly outpost.

[Steve May]

double post

Edited by Steve May, 29 September 2010 - 03:46 PM.

[Steve May]

Hi All,

I am writing this on behalf of a friend who is moving up north with his girlfriend due to work. He has landed a job halfway between Leeds and Manchester and is trying to decide where he should live. They are city people, so are debating whether to move to Leeds or Manchester.

Basically they want to live somewhere that is relatively happening. Somewhere where there are plenty or professional young couples or singles, good restaurants, nice parks and plenty going on etc. They are going to rent.

They've been to both Manchester and Leeds before and like both cities. So what they really need to decide now, is where exactly in those cities would be the best place to live.

Does anyone have any recommendations of parts of Leeds or Manchester that would fit the critieria?

Could do a lot worse than to split the difference and move to Huddersfield

[shrek]

Couldn't comment on Leeds, but there are plenty of affordable places right in the city centre for Manchester, so your limit there will be there budget rather than areas as you'll be 5/10 minutes walk away from the other side of town at worst.

I suspect both towns are carrying lots of empty flats/apartments at the moment so should be lots of choice for them in either city, should they not take any of the advice above from other posters.

[Tiny Tim]

He might consider Hebden Bridge ... friendly, good social life, beautiful part of the world, benefits of both town and countryside. There are trains every hour or less to both Manchester and Leeds; the town is full of such commuters. It's best described as the most bohemian town in the north of England.

Some specimen properties:
http://www.anthonyjt...es/for_sale.asp

I've got relatives living there, but haven't been up for ages. Nice place Hebden Bridge.

I sometimes forget how cheap property is up north. You certainly get so much more for your money.

[Wolford6]

Take it you've never been to Morcambe then? West Yorkshires most westerly outpost.

Yes, you're right.



Morecambe used to be called Bradford-by-the Sea. I think most Bradford millworkers went to the west coast rather than the east coast for their annual outings etc. Probably because it was a single rail journey. It was a well-adopted retirement destination, and until relatively recently Morecambe properties were advertised every week in the Telegraph & Argus .

[fieldofclothofgold]

Iwas going to mention the Otley area ,but 7.30am onwards the traffic through Headingley is horrendous

[Severus]

Manchester without a doubt. Leeds is a dump and its in Yorkshire.

[High Peak Rhino]

I would say the answer lies on which side of the Pennines the job is.

A commute over the top of the M62 in winter can be hell.

Either city will suit their needs and as someone who spends time in both then both have good and bad points.

[Student Ram]

In terms of living in one of the actual cities

In Manchester try Didsbury and in Leeds Chapel Allerton, Horsforth and Roundhay are the areas that contain the demographic your friends sound to be looking for. Because of this the prices of living in these areas reflect that. Neither of these area would provide easy commuting for the one that has to travel cross pennine as for all of them you would have to cross city to get to the M62. They are mainly areas for local commutes in to said city.

From a personal point of view when I worked in Manchester and my wife worked in Halifax we lived in Heywood near Rochdale. We now live nr Cleckheaton as I'm back in Yorkshire. Both of these places are excellent for transport, commuting and amenities but don't have the social demographic or nightlife you mention. Guess it depends what's important to you.

Personally I prefer Manchester to Leeds as a city but that maybe because I spent 6 yrs as a student in Leeds so have got a bit bored with it.

You pays your money and takes your pick.

[Trojan]

Yes, you're right.



Morecambe used to be called Bradford-by-the Sea. I think most Bradford millworkers went to the west coast rather than the east coast for their annual outings etc. Probably because it was a single rail journey. It was a well-adopted retirement destination, and until relatively recently Morecambe properties were advertised every week in the Telegraph & Argus .

A lot of the Yorkshire mill owners and wool merchants lived in Morecambe. There used to be a regular train for them every morning, it divided at Skipton into the Bradford and Leeds portions. Presumably they ate breakfast and discussed business.

[Severus]

In Manchester try Didsbury

I would've agreed with you back in the 90s but unfortunately Didsbury is now very overpriced and bit yuppy wannabe. Chorlton is nice with lots of individual bars and shops but a wee bit pretentious, crowded and like Didsbury pricey.

[Derwent]

Depends on their budget but if they're looking at Manchester city centre then I'd suggest the "Conference Quarter" around the Bridgewater Hall and GMEX area where there are some really excellent apartments. I'd pick Manchester over Leeds every time if only for the fact that the public transport in and around Manchester is very good.

[sam]

try salford. it's not a massive walk to manchester city centre.

[Methven Hornet]

In terms of living in one of the actual cities

In Manchester try Didsbury and in Leeds Chapel Allerton, Horsforth and Roundhay are the areas that contain the demographic your friends sound to be looking for. Because of this the prices of living in these areas reflect that. Neither of these area would provide easy commuting for the one that has to travel cross pennine as for all of them you would have to cross city to get to the M62. They are mainly areas for local commutes in to said city.

From a personal point of view when I worked in Manchester and my wife worked in Halifax we lived in Heywood near Rochdale. We now live nr Cleckheaton as I'm back in Yorkshire. Both of these places are excellent for transport, commuting and amenities but don't have the social demographic or nightlife you mention. Guess it depends what's important to you.

Personally I prefer Manchester to Leeds as a city but that maybe because I spent 6 yrs as a student in Leeds so have got a bit bored with it.

You pays your money and takes your pick.

It's not often I see those two words used together.

[Wolford6]

try salford. it's not a massive walk to manchester city centre.

No, but you'd be safer getting a taxi.

[Methven Hornet]

oops

Edited by Methven Hornet, 29 September 2010 - 08:26 PM.