Tips Before Moving to Leeds: A Guide

Here are 8 moving tips from AnyVan if you’re moving to Leeds. If you’d like a quote for Leeds removals, our prices start from just £59.

How to plan a move to Leeds

So, you want to move to Leeds? The UK’s third largest city is definitely a great choice! Hardly the backwater that some people assume it is, Leeds has become one of the country’s most vital cities for finance, business and culture.

Thanks to years of rejuvenation and significant long-term investment, it’s safe to say that there is always something new to do in Leeds, whether you are a young professional, a family or a student at one of the city’s many universities!

Before moving, it is important to keep in mind that Leeds is, sadly, landlocked, and so you won’t find any good shipping prices to take advantage of. That said, the road and rail connections are still fairly excellent, and so you should have no trouble transporting whatever you need to your new home.

Remember, the best way to take the stress about moving to a new city is to find a reliable and well-priced local removal firm. Not only will they have the manpower, vehicles and insurance to transport your belongings safely, they will also have enough experience to ensure that no details slip through the cracks.

Be sure to collect at least five quotes before choosing a removal company, as this should give you a good idea of the average cost for your local area. It will also be worth taking the time to read through customer reviews to make sure that your chosen candidate is up to standard.

Which area to live in

Leeds has plenty of areas to choose from, though as usual, you should expect to pay more to get the very best in terms of location, space, amenities and entertainment.

If you are moving as a young professional, or with a growing family, then there are a number of delightful suburbs worth checking out, such as Horsforth, Roundhay and Chapel Allerton. You can also find more modern apartments and houses along the rejuvenated Waterfront, which also boasts access to some fantastic nightlife.

On average, you would expect to pay £800 to £900 for a one bedroom flat in the city centre, or £1,200 to £1,30 for a three-bedroom. If you are willing to step a little further out, you could enjoy rent of just £900 for a three-bedroom flat outside the centre, making Leeds an excellent choice for sharers.

Actually buying a property in Leeds is also more realistic than it is elsewhere. According to Zoopla, the average house price in Leeds is just £270,000, compared to a whopping £660,000 in London.

When searching for a property, be sure to have a realistic idea about what you can afford to spend. Inputting this into websites like Gumtree and Zoopla, or sending the figure over to a local estate agent, should give you no shortage of possibilities.

Transport/getting around

Most people in Leeds tend to get around by bus, though there are also quite a few useful train services. You could even opt for a scenic route using the Settle Carlisle railway!

Transport in Leeds is also fairly cheap. A weekly Arriva bus ticket only costs £14 for urban zones, or you could pay £20 for a weekly West Yorkshire Zone ticket - perfect for exploring your new county!

Employment

Now is a great time to move to Leeds for work. Over the last ten years alone, the city has seen its business sector grow by 39%! Some of its biggest industries include financial and business services, communication, IT and distribution and logistics. If you are a skilled worker, you should have no trouble finding a job to suit you.

That being said, you should keep in mind that, while house prices in Leeds are lower, so are the average salaries. The average salary for Leeds is around £37,000 according to Payscale.

Remember, while Leeds has a lot to offer in terms of work, it will usually be easier to actually find a job once you already have a local address.

Having fun/things to do

In recent years Leeds has become synonymous with culture. Not only does it have a wide collection of top-quality museums, including the Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute, it also has four major theatres. If you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll also be happy to learn that Leeds is one of the only cities in the UK to boast its own Ballet Company and Opera House.

Of course, if culture isn’t your thing, Leeds also has a thriving nightlife, helped largely by its huge student population. There are also a great number of beautiful green spaces, such as Roundhay Park (one of the biggest city parks in all of Europe).

Eating / restaurants

When it comes to dining in Leeds, the most important thing is to be open to new tastes. Whether you are into Michelin Star restaurants like ‘The Man Behind The Curtain’, Indian street food or charming burger pop-ups, you will find no shortage of choices here!

Shopping

If you look up ‘shopping in Leeds’ then the first name to pop up will usually be the Trinity Shopping Centre. Set between Briggate and Albion Street, Trinity offers over 120 shops, bars and restaurants spread out over three floors.

Of course, you will hardly be spoiled for choice if you look elsewhere. You could also check out the Merrion Centre, or simply take a stroll through the centre of town. For a more traditional experience, you could also visit the Leeds Kirkgate Market, which is home to over 600 stalls and also happens to be the birthplace of Marks and Spencer.

Moving to Leeds on your own

When it comes to moving to Leeds on your own, we have two pieces of advice. The first is to prepare for the cold weather, which can be a big shock for anyone moving from the south. In other words, be sure to pack a warm coat and a sturdy umbrella.

The second tip for moving to Leeds is to be open to new experiences. Leeds has so much to offer in terms of culture that there really is something for everyone, so try to set aside at least one night per month to go out and try something new. It should be an excellent way to meet new friends!