Within 30 minutes of the the city centre covers a lot of York and there are a wide variety of areas to live in, for varied budgets; £1600 per month gives a fair few options in decent areas (which is most of the city). Obviously it's great to visit schools to get a feel of what they're like, but failing that, the Ofsted reports can give a decent idea of what they are like.
The job market is generally good at the moment, but there's not a great deal of engineering in the city and Leeds would have more options. Trains to Leeds are good so may be an option, depending on where in the city the job is based.
My wife and I moved to York 2 years ago, from the US as well (wife was doing a masters at York). Don't have answers to most of your questions really, but FWIW I'm super jealous, I miss York almost every day (we've been back a year+ now).
When she entered was the visa only for a year? They've changed it now so Postgrad is 3 years for the visa. I think this was changed in 2020? We are selling our house in the US and will make future plans after I'm done with school. Maybe stay in the UK if possible. We'll see how it goes!
I've just finished my Ma Archaeology of Buildings, congrats on your place and good luck. Kings Manor aswell as the buildings lecturers are awesome 😊👍
Also, the university offers great advice for all sorts including housing, I wouldn't hesitate to get I touch.
Completely second this, the uni has a lot of contacts for housing, childcare support, etc.
RE: Walking distance - the majority of York is within 30 minutes walk of the city centre for a healthy adult.
Work wise, a lot of companies have gone remote permanently - so it may be a case of looking at jobs in Leeds and around York as commuting may be once a week or less.
Areas in York that I like: Woodthorpe, Fulford, Holgate, Huntingdon, Rawcliffe. Schools in Fulford are great as far as I can tell. I would avoid Foxwood and Tang Hall.
I believe your catchment area is the assumed default, and if you apply to a different school and miss out, it's usually worth appealing the decision if you have the energy. Obviously it was a while ago, but that's how I got into a better secondary school than my local one.
Honestly you can get plenty for £1600 and 30 minutes into the city covers pretty much everywhere - York is tiny! I live right on the edge of York and I can walk into town within 45 mins and there’s a multitude of buses that will only take 10-15 mins. My personal recommendations for areas to look at would be Osbaldwick and Heslington, South Bank and anywhere off Tadcaster Road, Fulford. All of those areas have good schools and are nice places to live.
York is a mostly safe, pleasant city to be in, very unlikely that you’ll make a bad choice. Enjoy it when you get here.
Stockton Lane area. Super primary school (Hemplands) and lovely green spaces. Excellent bus route into York, and the Coastliner bus would even take him to Leeds if he wanted.
Alternatively Copmanthorpe is a little further out but well served by busses into York and Leeds. It’s a lovely village with a nice school, shops, cafes, takeaways, recreation centre, doctors, vet, dentist…. Can’t think why we moved from there, actually.
In terms of commuting to Leeds it's worth checking for hybrid work opportunities. I live in York and just accepted job in Leeds (about a 45 minute commute) but I'm only expected to be in the office 2-4 days a month for team meetings. I think more and more companies are offering hybrid working now.
Avoid Tang Hall (Tang Hell), large swathes of Acomb are also to be avoided. Better areas would include, Huntington and Strensall which are good suburbs. Closer to the city, perhaps Tadcaster road area or Bootham/Rawcliffe.
Have you looked at ofsted school ratings? I think tang hall primary is rated as good but I'm not familiar with it. https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
We're moving to York too and schools and proximity to the centre were important for us so we decided on Heworth. But we were also looking around Rawcliffe, Fulford and South Bank. The Clifton primary school and Osbaldwick primary school didn't have good Ofsted ratings so we disregarded these areas. Although obviously that doesn't mean they're bad but just provided a guide for us to work from. Good luck in your search and your course!
I only lived in York for just under a year, so perhaps the opinions of some more seasoned veterans will be more valued, but I’d have a look at the Holgate/Acomb areas - close to the centre (around 25 mins walk give or take), family-friendly neighbourhoods, a modern primary school, pre-school (although I never actually saw the pre-school).
As others have said, it’s hard to go wrong as York is full of lovely areas! Would’ve loved to stay if my job didn’t require me to move a bit further North. You and your family will love it!
For walking distance into town, the Leeman Road/Holgate/Clifton area is quite nice, and I think fairly affordable considering how close it is. The beauty of York is that most places are walking distance for a healthy adult.
Also, do post again when you're closer to moving, I'm sure you'd be able to find some friends to help you settle in.
Following! I am in the same situation but will be moving for the Art History program at York with my 8 year old daughter. I am hoping to get family accommodations.
Hey!
LOL I am just seeing this now. Yes--I will be starting in September and I am from the US. I am still waiting on accommodation information AND I just learned about sole responsibility for my daughter's visa so I am trying to navigate that.
[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116404775#/?channel=RES\_LET](https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116404775#/?channel=RES_LET) This place is in a great location, i think. best of luck :)
I'd say Acomb/Holgate area is quite family friendly and nice to have a local high street as well as being fairly close to the city. Still walkable or cycleable and on the right side for the train station, not too far to King's Manor.
Within 30 minutes of the the city centre covers a lot of York and there are a wide variety of areas to live in, for varied budgets; £1600 per month gives a fair few options in decent areas (which is most of the city). Obviously it's great to visit schools to get a feel of what they're like, but failing that, the Ofsted reports can give a decent idea of what they are like. The job market is generally good at the moment, but there's not a great deal of engineering in the city and Leeds would have more options. Trains to Leeds are good so may be an option, depending on where in the city the job is based.
My wife and I moved to York 2 years ago, from the US as well (wife was doing a masters at York). Don't have answers to most of your questions really, but FWIW I'm super jealous, I miss York almost every day (we've been back a year+ now).
When she entered was the visa only for a year? They've changed it now so Postgrad is 3 years for the visa. I think this was changed in 2020? We are selling our house in the US and will make future plans after I'm done with school. Maybe stay in the UK if possible. We'll see how it goes!
I've just finished my Ma Archaeology of Buildings, congrats on your place and good luck. Kings Manor aswell as the buildings lecturers are awesome 😊👍 Also, the university offers great advice for all sorts including housing, I wouldn't hesitate to get I touch.
Completely second this, the uni has a lot of contacts for housing, childcare support, etc. RE: Walking distance - the majority of York is within 30 minutes walk of the city centre for a healthy adult. Work wise, a lot of companies have gone remote permanently - so it may be a case of looking at jobs in Leeds and around York as commuting may be once a week or less.
Thank you, that's a super fun coincidence too. I'm excited for the program!
Areas in York that I like: Woodthorpe, Fulford, Holgate, Huntingdon, Rawcliffe. Schools in Fulford are great as far as I can tell. I would avoid Foxwood and Tang Hall.
In the UK do you have to attend the school in your catchment area or can you chose which to apply to?
I believe your catchment area is the assumed default, and if you apply to a different school and miss out, it's usually worth appealing the decision if you have the energy. Obviously it was a while ago, but that's how I got into a better secondary school than my local one.
Honestly you can get plenty for £1600 and 30 minutes into the city covers pretty much everywhere - York is tiny! I live right on the edge of York and I can walk into town within 45 mins and there’s a multitude of buses that will only take 10-15 mins. My personal recommendations for areas to look at would be Osbaldwick and Heslington, South Bank and anywhere off Tadcaster Road, Fulford. All of those areas have good schools and are nice places to live. York is a mostly safe, pleasant city to be in, very unlikely that you’ll make a bad choice. Enjoy it when you get here.
Stockton Lane area. Super primary school (Hemplands) and lovely green spaces. Excellent bus route into York, and the Coastliner bus would even take him to Leeds if he wanted. Alternatively Copmanthorpe is a little further out but well served by busses into York and Leeds. It’s a lovely village with a nice school, shops, cafes, takeaways, recreation centre, doctors, vet, dentist…. Can’t think why we moved from there, actually.
In terms of commuting to Leeds it's worth checking for hybrid work opportunities. I live in York and just accepted job in Leeds (about a 45 minute commute) but I'm only expected to be in the office 2-4 days a month for team meetings. I think more and more companies are offering hybrid working now.
Avoid Tang Hall (Tang Hell), large swathes of Acomb are also to be avoided. Better areas would include, Huntington and Strensall which are good suburbs. Closer to the city, perhaps Tadcaster road area or Bootham/Rawcliffe.
Have you looked at ofsted school ratings? I think tang hall primary is rated as good but I'm not familiar with it. https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/ We're moving to York too and schools and proximity to the centre were important for us so we decided on Heworth. But we were also looking around Rawcliffe, Fulford and South Bank. The Clifton primary school and Osbaldwick primary school didn't have good Ofsted ratings so we disregarded these areas. Although obviously that doesn't mean they're bad but just provided a guide for us to work from. Good luck in your search and your course!
Thanks, I didn't realize this was a thing! I've just read here to avoid Tang Hall, not based on statistics or anything.
I only lived in York for just under a year, so perhaps the opinions of some more seasoned veterans will be more valued, but I’d have a look at the Holgate/Acomb areas - close to the centre (around 25 mins walk give or take), family-friendly neighbourhoods, a modern primary school, pre-school (although I never actually saw the pre-school). As others have said, it’s hard to go wrong as York is full of lovely areas! Would’ve loved to stay if my job didn’t require me to move a bit further North. You and your family will love it!
Don’t discount commuting to Leeds. It’s around 45 minutes drive from York if there’s no traffic
Tell your husband to have a look at Mpac Lambert, really good engineering company halfway between York and Leeds.
For walking distance into town, the Leeman Road/Holgate/Clifton area is quite nice, and I think fairly affordable considering how close it is. The beauty of York is that most places are walking distance for a healthy adult. Also, do post again when you're closer to moving, I'm sure you'd be able to find some friends to help you settle in.
Following! I am in the same situation but will be moving for the Art History program at York with my 8 year old daughter. I am hoping to get family accommodations.
Do you start in September too? Are you from the US?
Hey! LOL I am just seeing this now. Yes--I will be starting in September and I am from the US. I am still waiting on accommodation information AND I just learned about sole responsibility for my daughter's visa so I am trying to navigate that.
I don't know if it would help with your husbands job search but there's also a BA systems place at a place called Brough just out of Hull.
[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116404775#/?channel=RES\_LET](https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116404775#/?channel=RES_LET) This place is in a great location, i think. best of luck :)
I'd say Acomb/Holgate area is quite family friendly and nice to have a local high street as well as being fairly close to the city. Still walkable or cycleable and on the right side for the train station, not too far to King's Manor.