So What's York Like?

[CatherineB]

My husband just got a job in York, and while he's going to commute from our house in Leeds to start, we're seriously thinking about making the move.
We're in our early 30's, no kids, into live music (indie, generally), film, eating and cooking, books, and interesting pubs and bars that aren't too trendy, studenty, or wetherspoon-y.
So, what parts of town should we be looking to live? We'd want to be within 2 miles of the train station, and would like a small garden or nice courtyard or patio, but other than that we're totally flexible.
Aslo, what are some good pubs and restaurants, preferable a bit off the beaten tourist track?

 

[HelenD123]

York sounds like just what you're looking for. I don't know it well enough to give any specific advice but there are plenty of good pubs and restaurants, and there's York City Screen Picturehouse for films you don't get in the mainstream cinemas. The only downside to York is the tourists. It can get a bit wearing trying to fight your way through the crowds but don't let that put you off.

And the best thing about York is the regular programme of CycleChat rides!

 

[dustystreet]

you'll be wanting the moon on a stick in york next!

 

[postman]

You are only moving cos of that bloke in the suv.
You will hate York it's full of tourists,cyclists and neer do wells .
It's a nightmare on race day .Visitors using your garden as a latrine .

It floods everytime there is a drop of rain .
And my sister in law lives in Nether Poppleton .

Stay in Leeds.

No only joking beautiful place .

Get some help from Arch,Uncle Phil and a few others.Let them give you the low down on the good and bad areas.

 

[Gromit]

York is fantastic, I moved here 10 years ago to study for my Archaeology degree.

It hasn't got the big live music venues like Leeds, however its said that It has a pub for everyday of the year. If you want live music we do have Fibbers http://www.fibbers.co.uk/ and The Duchess http://www.theduchessyork.co.uk/ which are both samey really. York is not too far away from Leeds, so you can always get the night train to go to a gig.

We live in Southbank which is within walking/cycling distance from the train station and the city centre. Its a nice area to live.

Rents are a little high in York we have friends who are paying £670 to rent a 3 bed terraced house at the moment. Most properties if you want to buy start from about £120,000.

Good pubs to check out, my favorite 5 are:

The Blue Bell at the top of Walmgate, which still has its original interior.

The Golden Ball or as I call it the holy hand grenade.

The Wagon and Horses, on Hull Road.

The Swan on Bishopthorpe Road, which used to be my local.

And the Black Swan at Peashome Green

 

[bikepete]

"So, what parts of town should we be looking to live? We'd want to be within 2 miles of the train station, and would like a small garden or nice courtyard or patio, but other than that we're totally flexible."

Can't beat South Bank area IMO - friendly area, very safe, no grotty bits nearby, easy traffic-free cycle access out south to the countryside via the racecourse, town centre 10 mins by bike mostly along the traffic-free river path, or 20 mins walking, good local shops e.g. here:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...d=NRyycHsqAj2D4jx7Dh1hew&cbp=12,51.75,,0,8.19

(Post office now closed sadly, but butcher, baker, 3 corner shops, fish & chips, Chinese and Indian, hairdresser, vet, all easy walking distance)

Loads of solid old Victorian terraces which are as close to a bargain as you get in York. Most have a small walled back yard - you'll pay a fair bit more for a garden as such.

Local pub isn't up to much but plenty of other good ones not far away.

 

[CatherineB]

you'll be wanting the moon on a stick in york next!

I love things on sticks- satay, ice lollies, corndogs, sun-reflecting natural sattelites, you name it!

 

[postman]

There told you .All based in York better than any Estate agent .Listen to them and you won't go far wrong .Again all the best in your search .
It really is a beautiful place and one of my fav cycling places .A great ride out and not strenuous.

 

[upsidedown]

Went to a wedding at the Merchant Taylor's Hall once (i think that's what it was called. Very nice, and a great atmosphere generally around the town.

 

[Gromit]

The only downside is that it's not a nice place to go out on a Friday and Saturday night due to the high numbers of binge drinkers who spoil it for everyone else. You can avoid it though by staying away from the pubs in Micklegate. Its probably no worse than anywhere else though.

 

[CatherineB]

The only downside is that it's not a nice place to go out on a Friday and Saturday night due to the high numbers of binge drinkers who spoil it for everyone else. You can avoid it though by staying away from the pubs in Micklegate. Its probably no worse than anywhere else though.

we live in Hyde Park, in the centre of Leeds's student ghetto. As long as I don't regularly wake up to students sleeping in my garden, covered in their own sick, it will be an improvement!
Thanks for the advice everyone, i know where to start now. Keep the info coming!

 

[bikepete]

Just to clarify - binge drinkers aren't usually in South Bank at all - they're mainly a mile or so away in Micklegate:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=micklegate+run

Racegoers do pass through and can be a nuisance in some places but that's only a few days a year and never bothers me much.

 

[Danny]

Didn't realise there is a whole South Bank posee on CC. I'd second it as a nice place to live - though I would also look at Bishophill, Clementhorpe, and the Bishopthorpe Road areas (which all adjoin Southbank). Churchills estate agents have a virtual monopoly of house sales in this area so would be a good place to start looking.

There are other areas within 2 miles of the Station which you could look at - notably the Groves, Heworth, or, if you want somewhere cheaper, Leeman Road (which is mostly small terraced houses).

There are many good places to eat including:

Meltons Too - Walmgate
Cafe 8 - Gillygate
Bettys - avoid during the daytime as it is packed, but good to go to in the evening

 

[Hilldodger]

York is fantastic, I moved here 10 years ago to study for my Archaeology degree.


Good pubs to check out, my favorite 5 are:

The Blue Bell at the top of Walmgate, which still has its original interior.

The Golden Ball or as I call it the holy hand grenade.

The Wagon and Horses, on Hull Road.

The Swan on Bishopthorpe Road, which used to be my local.

And the Black Swan at Peashome Green

 

[Gromit]

Danny I do agree that Bishopthorpe road area is also a very nice place to live, you don't need to go and shop for food in town when you live there. It has two cafe's, two fruit and veg shops, a bloody good butchers. Two Indian restaurants a chines take away. A pizza place and my old local The Swan. Its a bit more expensive to buy a house there though due to its proximity to the City Centre.

South Bank posee rule.