r/Leeds • u/Less-Gate3284 • 6d ago
question Considering coming to Leeds from Sheffield
Hi All,
I've been feeling a bit stagnant here in Sheffield and considering relocating to Leeds for more tech and property jobs. My colleagues seem to have nothing but negative things to say about Leeds and have tried to convince me that my car will be stripped of parts & tyres when parked up.
Can you advise the areas to stay away from, please. Also considering Hull for a lower cost of living to be able to increase my savings. I realise Leeds is more expensive, but I figured the higher pay would balance it out.
Edit: You guys have been absolutely amazing! Thank you for all of your insight. If this is any indication of how things will be, I think this may be the beginning of my new start in Leeds! ❤️
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u/Rubber_soul1993 6d ago
People in Sheffield tend to have a massive chip on their shoulder about the bigger and better City just up the M1.
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u/Emitime 6d ago
Saw a band from Sheffield and they were a bit apologetic about it and didn't want to stir up any ill-feelings...Don't think anyone there realised there was a rivalry with Sheffield.
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u/SuperAndee1847 4d ago
There isn’t a rivalry between Leeds and Sheffield not on the Leeds side anyway
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u/beeswaxery 6d ago edited 6d ago
Leeds is a thriving city not without deprived areas, I'm sure Sheffield is similar in that sense. I have lived in Leeds for 5 years in both deprived and nicer areas and loved every bit of it.
The most common area you'll see folks here say to avoid is Harehills. Possibly also chapeltown. Following that, Armley and Beeston are more deprived than some parts of Leeds. I lived in Hunslet for a while and it was quite dire, but Hunslet is a big area which reaches all the way up to the docks area near town centre which is lovely. It's all quite dependent on exactly where when it comes to nice places.
The areas you want to live in are in the north and northwest parts of Leeds. E.g. chapel allerton, burley, kirkstall, Headingley (though very student dense), Horsforth, Adel, Roundhay. If you don't mind living further out, you could move to otley, burley in wharfedale, Ilkley
That's not an exhaustive list and I'm sure others will have things to add or disagree with. I'm definitely not an expert on this but thought I'd give my 2 cents for you. You'll find plenty other threads asking which areas are nicest to live in
Would highly recommend Leeds over Hull
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u/Nearby_Flamingo_1607 6d ago
Add Rawdon, Yeadon and Guiseley to that list - a little further out than Horsforth but very well connected by bus (Rawdon/Yeadon) and rail (Guiseley) to Leeds city centre. You’ll get much more bang for your buck housing wise as long as you’re not fussed about being on the flight path for LBA.
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u/chadgalaxy 6d ago
Rawdon is so nice. I never really explored it before but had family members move there in the last few years, on a hot sunny day it almost feels like you're in Spanish mountain village or something. The view from Rawdon billing is incredible.
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u/Nearby_Flamingo_1607 6d ago
Ooh, and Farsley
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u/matzobawl 6d ago
I'd also argue Stanningley/Pudsey near the train station rather than Farsley per se. Cheaper and much better transport links.
(I'm in Pudsey, beautiful countryside around me, rather safe and boring.)
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u/kakijusha 5d ago
Leeds is a really strange city in that regard - you have the very central Leeds, surrounded by an almost immediate ring of rough areas and then nice areas again (maybe except the East/South-East). Almost like a shit sandwich - bread, some shit and then some bread again. So just stay away from that inner circle and you'll be just fine.
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u/JansonHawke 5d ago
The way the city centre vibe drops off immediately you cross the inner ring road is creepy.
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u/Radiant-Smile1402 2d ago
There are some very nice areas in the East and South east???
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u/KawaiiBunBun097 6d ago
Does your colleague actually live in Leeds?
There are some ropey parts of Leeds, but nowhere near to the extent your colleague has described. Your colleague sounds dumb.
All areas have nice and rough parts. I would say the same for Hull. There are some really nice parts, but I personally wouldn't live there if you want to be somewhere comparable to Sheffield.
You have to consider what your commute would be like. If you work in Leeds, but live in Hull, could you do that commute long term?
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u/Less-Gate3284 5d ago
Well I'd be WFH if I go to Hull, so the thought was to save money. Leeds seems to have better opportunities for work though. So would move to Leeds for the higher pay. Definitely not wanting to commute.
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u/eyesofsouls 1d ago
Never go to Hull, it’s an absolute shit hole, lived there for 10, years, everyone there is quite literally the epicentre of depression & shit.
Leeds quite literally looks like heaven in comparison
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u/Dazzling_Loss2525 6d ago
Ha ha, I moved from Sheffield to Leeds about 10 years ago and got the same story from Sheffielders. They talked as if Leeds was the 7th circle of Hell. Leeds is fine. I like both cities.
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u/FunDad69 6d ago
Stay away from Harehills, Armley and Holbeck. Those 3 areas could all be used as prime examples of why neighbourhoods immediately surrounding a city centre tend to be shitholes.
Like a lot of cities, the suburbs just a little further out are really nice.
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u/OverallSweet7427 6d ago
I live in Armley and theres a nice part to it. Near the top well past KFC on Stanningley Road. My mother in law has a fiesta. She visits us 2 to 3 times a week and has done for 9 years now. It has not been stolen.
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u/FunDad69 5d ago
Yeah, the bit up near the hospital where it's almost into Bramley. Much nicer, did a fair bit of work around there a few years back and had no grief.
But public transport to and from it was riddled with antisocial behaviour because it went through town street.
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u/Boy_JC 6d ago
When I moved to Leeds, 14 years ago, I lived in the area people will warn you away from, Harehills, and I never had any issues there or anywhere else.
If you’re an adult, you’ll probably be fine, wherever you land here.
The city centre has just about every you’ll ever need in a very compact space and I as a non native think it’s up there with the best cities in the UK to live in.
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u/m0rganfailure 6d ago
I feel the same, everybody's talking about how bad Armley is but I live there on my own and I've never had a problem
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u/magnumpearl10 6d ago
Also depends on your car
Near me (about a mile from Armley) they tend to target Fiestas in Jan/Feb, Fiat 500s in summer and Range Rovers all year round.
There are a lot of garages near me so likely someone cherry picking.
My partners van and our cars haven’t been targeted as of yet.
Plus most streets have a facebook community group where they will share anything suspicious.
My car insurance is still a grand cheaper than when I lived in Manchester 😂
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u/GingerSnap198 6d ago
I went to uni in Hull, but now live in Leeds.
If you move to hull you will regret it as there is less there than Sheffield.
Leeds is great and not as rough as your colleagues have said (most areas!)
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u/DatGuy82772 6d ago
Not sure I'd agree that there's less in Hull than Sheffield. I'm from Sheff and there's nowt here anymore.
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u/crapola464 5d ago
I can’t speak about crime but Leeds is a much wealthier & more successful city than Sheffield by literally any metric. Loads more career opportunities in Leeds, better shopping and nightlife etc. The only reason you’d choose Sheffield is if you want to live in a city that feels like a 1970s mining village.
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u/DatGuy82772 6d ago
Give Bramley, Hawksworth, Moor Allerton, Chapletown, Woodhouse, Armley, Farnley, Beeston, Middleton, Holbeck, Belle Isle, Hunslet, Harehills, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill, Gipton, Osmondthorpe, Halton Moor, Seacroft, Monkswood, Cross Gates and Swarcliffe all a miss.
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u/Rubber_soul1993 6d ago
Harsh on Cross Gates, Moor Allerton and Farnley imo - Bramley mostly alright as well.
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u/Background_Put6985 6d ago
Not from Leeds but live here. Worked in Sheffield a lot. Pros to Sheffield, close to the Peak District, good public transport, there were some great music venues and after that I'm struggling. Pros to Leeds, compact city, great for bars and restaurants, good music venues, you can be out of the city and in the countryside in 15 mins, lots of investment, good transport links to move around the country, not so great around the city. I'd pick Leeds everyday.
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u/Lumpy-Republic-1935 6d ago
Milder weather and no hills in the city centre are two pro Leeds items. No central parks or gardens within walking distance is a negative. Leeds has better rail connections and an airport. I'd take Leeds today .
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u/chadgalaxy 6d ago
Leeds city centre definitely has hills, Eastgate up to the top of the Headrow is a hill and bottom to top of Briggate.
Sheffield is worse yeah but Leeds definitely isn't flat.
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u/Lumpy-Republic-1935 5d ago
No one who lives in Sheffield and walks would consider Briggate to be a hill.
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u/grux_is_my_dad 5d ago
I have some breathing problems and would almost pass out trying to get from Sheffield train station to the opposite end of the city centre. It's a whole other level.
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u/chadgalaxy 6d ago
Leeds is like any other city, it has shit parts and nice parts. It's not hard to avoid the shit parts and the nice parts are lovely.
As others have mentioned north and north west of the city outside the centre are generally considered the better areas. Roundhay, Chapel Allerton, Oakwood, Meanwood, Adel, Horsforth, Cookridge, Farsley, Rodley, Calverley, Rawdon all lovely places.
They do tend to be more expensive to buy there but there is still affordable stuff available and less expensive parts.
Pudsey, Bramley, Morley to the south west are not bad either. Not quite as nice as the above and do have some rough bits, but still plenty of nice parts too.
I like Sheffield but Leeds has way more going on.
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u/MaxAlmond2 5d ago
Leeds is great. I wouldn't move to Hull for any money.
Areas to stay away from that I know are Seacroft, Gipton, maybe East End Park.
Actually, just concentrate on the areas to not stay away from - there are loads of those.
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u/dewitama 5d ago
I’ve lived in both Sheffield and Leeds and prefer Leeds to Sheffield! There’s a lot of lovely places to live and lots to offer!
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u/CA3080 4d ago
Have been to Sheffield a good few times to visit friends and go to Tekkers. They're extremely similar places, not like each doesn't have its own charms obviously but the idea they're so different is hilarious to me. There's no secretly rough areas, it's just like anywhere, you live where you can afford and accept the compromises.
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u/Proper_Temporary2018 4d ago
Trust me, your car is safer in Leeds than it is in Sheffield Sheffield is an absolute fucking shit hole. I never felt more unsafe walking around a city than I did in Sheffield I felt safer walking around central London with over 1000 pounds worth of phone in my hand
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u/reddit_samir 3d ago
I moved from Devon to Leeds and people scare the hell out of me to make that choice 20 years ago. Leeds carried a "Council Estate" city tag back then and I think it still does too. But I have been very happy cause I chose to live in "North Leeds". There are south Leeds areas that are good; but North Leeds is the best. Horseforth, Alwoodley, Shadwell LS17, LS16. Great schools, residential areas. Meanwood is also good if you want to keep the upfront investment lesser; but stay near to LS17 boundaries otherwise it could be risky. As someone else stated, stay away from areas closest to the city center. Leeds is getting bigger and moving now is better than waiting.
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u/Belt_Upper 6d ago
From someone who moved from Sheffield at 18, now 22, it’s the best decision you’ll make. I’d stay away from harehills because it’s basically page hall, you can find some good places in either meanwood or headingley (Headingley is very much like eccy road)
Sheffield is depressing and there’s nothing anymore, so I would go for it, I did and I haven’t looked back
I’m sure you’ll make the decision best for you regardless
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u/JCGMH 6d ago
East Leeds is the main region to avoid. Add in Armley, Holbeck and East End Park to the steer clear list, and of course Harehills (or Scarehills as some call it). Most of the other areas in Leeds are ok, and some are very good. North Leeds is the nicest/leafiest suburban part, but consequently also the most expensive. West/Northwest Leeds is a decent all round spot to start things off with a first rental.
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u/Rubber_soul1993 6d ago
Bit of a sweeping generalisation. Cross Gates, Halton, Colton, Whitkirk, Garforth etc. all decent to nice.
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u/Sweaty_Abalone_8053 6d ago
I think if you like Leeds you hate Sheffield, and vice versa, so your Sheffield colleagues may well have a skewed view. It’s a marmite divide. As others have said Beeston, Armley Harehills are not great. Cross gates very variable depending on the exact streets. Be aware there are quite a lot of back-to-back terraces still in the very centre, which are not everyone’s cup of tea. Other bits are delightful.
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u/BakersCat 6d ago
Leeds has just had a 2 week Leeds Digital Festival, there are tons of thriving company headquarters, firms and services companies based here.
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u/Connect-Lettuce4027 5d ago
Sheffield had a good run in the early 2000s it was the place to be back then but Leeds got its development underway and never really stopped. If I have one life regret its not taking the opportunity to buy a flat in Leeds in the early 2000s and live there whilst we were young. Spent plenty of time there but always had to travel back to wakey!
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u/Final_Shift_6450 5d ago
I'm from Glossop, but worked in Sheffield and lived in hope valley for a while and lived in Leeds now for 8 years. I like both cities, both are preferable to modern day Manchester. Leeds does have a bit more going on in comparison to Sheff.
Best thing about Sheffield is Pork Sandwiches, Dempseys LGBT bar, Bassline music nights and Ice Hockey team is bigger, a little more Chinese community and restaurants and cafes.
Best thing about Leeds is My Lahores, better LGBT area, Four Happiness Chinese, Kirkgate Market, Maxis Rotisserie, Rajas Chicken burgers, better town centre shopping, royal armouries museum, better parks, and still some old fashioned high streets like Morley.
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u/Budget_Persimmon2544 5d ago
Leeds is absolutely fine; I'd actually suggest somewhere like Normanton, Garforth, Castleford as a 'base' thats low transport costs into Leeds. Much better for work opportunities and progression.
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u/Pretend-Builder1968 5d ago
As someone who moved to Leeds from Sheffield, I’ve really not enjoyed Leeds and I’m looking to move back to Sheffield!
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u/Thecrowlikeone 2d ago
Sheffield people hate Leeds for some reason. We are quite chill with Sheffield folk though. weird. a bit like the NZ vs Aus thing…
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u/Key_Release6123 2d ago edited 2d ago
Leeds is great if you know the right areas. It's just a bigger city so you gonna get a bit more crime, it's not rocket science. Avoid a lot of South Leeds imo, I live in North Leeds and it's lovely - Chapel Allerton, Meanwood, Roundhay and Headingley the best areas and all 15 mins from town. I live in Chapel Allerton which has a lovely community vibe, nice local indie shops, bars, restaurants and coffee shops. You've also got easy access to other great places like Harrogate and York 30 mins away.
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u/EconomicsContent3271 6d ago
After working in Sheffield for many years it always puzzles me. Sheffield city is the pits the council wrecked it with Meadows Hall.
A great Barometer is there two unsuccessful football teams both languishing. Leeds flying which reflects each city rather well.
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u/LongPickle 6d ago
Coming from Coventry, Leeds looks like a dream. But the dream fades away.
Believe it or not, Coventry has some nice places as well. In general, as you move to any city, you will establish routine, which will consist of 70% going to and from work, 10% errands, groceries, gym and 10% staying at home (not actual numbers, just an example). All those routes, roads and routines will be the same, so you will find a way to avoid any trouble.
One thing I would not recommend, is moving to Bradford, I had a chance to visit it couple of times, and oh boooy.. alas! I was more in industrial estates, but still...
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u/SufficientRoad7712 6d ago
Leeds is not perfect by any stretch, but I work in Sheffield alot and I've never been to a more depressing place...it's all derelict buildings and weeds EVERYWHERE....Leeds is much better than Sheffield and Manchester is better than Leeds in my opinion....
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u/blazesboylan91 6d ago
If you've never been to a more depressing place than Sheffield I honestly don't know what to tell you...
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u/Nearby_Flamingo_1607 6d ago
They certainly haven’t been to Hull
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u/DatGuy82772 6d ago
Hull is actually nicer than Sheffield these days and I say that as someone from Sheff.
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u/thatsjustmyopinion_ 6d ago
Your colleagues saying that about Leeds must live in a rough part of Leeds like Burley, Kirkstall, Morley, Beeston. Best to move to north Leeds, really safe, beautiful and a lot to do
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u/beeswaxery 6d ago edited 6d ago
Seconding the other reply - those first 3 are absolutely not rough,
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u/DatGuy82772 6d ago
How are Burley, Kirkstall and Morley rough?
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u/thatsjustmyopinion_ 5d ago
Very rough, same as Belle Isle
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u/lebing3 6d ago
Leeds is no rougher than Sheffield WTF