Having lived in seven different towns and cities in the 10 years prior (yikes) I was also hoping that this would be the place where I could call home and settle for an extended period.
And though some aspects have given me cause for concern, all in all I’ve been delighted with my first year and have no immediate plans to move to any of the few northern cities I have left to try.
So with that in mind, here’s 12 things that have stood out to me over the last 12 months:
So with that in mind, here’s 12 things that have stood out to me over the last 12 months:
![While some of the architecture is undoubtedly stunning, the general aesthetics of the city fall a little flat for me. Whether it's the cluttered nature of the contrasting buildings, incessant development of high rises, abundance of busy roads or lack of green spaces, there's a definitely a less homely feel from the green and vibrant surroundings of Sheffield or the regal and historic confines of York.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg0ODZkNjMwLTRiODctNGE5MC04YTJlLTU0MTc0MWU0NDI5ZDo3Mzg3N2EyNC0wMTQ0LTRiMGEtOTVmMC02YjcyYjRjZWE1Yzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. It's not the most picturesque
While some of the architecture is undoubtedly stunning, the general aesthetics of the city fall a little flat for me. Whether it's the cluttered nature of the contrasting buildings, incessant development of high rises, abundance of busy roads or lack of green spaces, there's a definitely a less homely feel from the green and vibrant surroundings of Sheffield or the regal and historic confines of York. Photo: Steve Riding
![Much as I'd expected, Leeds is home to some fantastic pubs that are ideal for supping away in. Standouts so far have been my local the Cardigan Arms as well as The Bridge Inn, Lamb and Flag and Cross Keys.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjEwYmM4MjI5LWUyOGYtNGYzMi05NzFjLTUwZWVkY2NhMWY0YjplYTJhZjA0ZC00YzEwLTQ2YzUtOTNiNy05MTdjYzY1MDliZWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. There's some terrific boozers
Much as I'd expected, Leeds is home to some fantastic pubs that are ideal for supping away in. Standouts so far have been my local the Cardigan Arms as well as The Bridge Inn, Lamb and Flag and Cross Keys. Photo: Simon Hulme
![I've found that public transport is a particular sticking point with residents in Leeds, with complaints of the length of bus journeys and lack of a tram service popping up regularly. Having been without a car for the last six months I had to deal with it first hand, though living just minutes away from a bus stop and Burley Park train station has made life a lot more manageable than I imagine it would for others in the more remote corners.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU3OWIyZWMzLTU5ZDEtNGU2OS1iMDk3LWQ1M2MxNTlmZWQ5MzpmYWVkNDU3ZS0wNDVlLTRkMjctYThlYS1kOWRmZmExYzIzYzA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Public transport
I've found that public transport is a particular sticking point with residents in Leeds, with complaints of the length of bus journeys and lack of a tram service popping up regularly. Having been without a car for the last six months I had to deal with it first hand, though living just minutes away from a bus stop and Burley Park train station has made life a lot more manageable than I imagine it would for others in the more remote corners. Photo: Tony Johnson
![Of course I'd heard about the Otley Run but casually walking through Headingley on my way to Meanwood on a Saturday afternoon and coming across it made me realise the sheer scale of it and the colour (and carnage) that it brings on a weekly basis. In spite of the many grumbles it attracts and the excessive amount of drinking it encourages, I must admit I do feel that my time in Leeds would be incomplete without giving it a go at some point.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmViMGVhNjE0LTY3M2QtNGYwYS05ZWMyLWYzZTFhODkxMTJmMzoxYTNkOGJkMy03ZDA0LTQ4NjYtODIzYS00M2UxN2Q3OWNiMjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. The Otley Run
Of course I'd heard about the Otley Run but casually walking through Headingley on my way to Meanwood on a Saturday afternoon and coming across it made me realise the sheer scale of it and the colour (and carnage) that it brings on a weekly basis. In spite of the many grumbles it attracts and the excessive amount of drinking it encourages, I must admit I do feel that my time in Leeds would be incomplete without giving it a go at some point. Photo: Steve Riding
![Leeds folk really love Leeds United, don't they? Having come from a historic footballing city in Sheffield and lived in Manchester where two of the biggest clubs in the world reside, it's definitely been interesting to see the depth of passion over here. Perhaps it's through having just the one team, but the club definitely feels engrained in the city unlike anywhere else I've been. I just wish I'd been around during the Bielsa years where I'm told the fever was on another level.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIyOGI0ODRjLWQ1ZTItNDBjYi1hYjA2LWM5ZGRkODQ2Y2JlZTo2YzgyN2JiZC04YTQ5LTRjM2EtOGQ3MS04MjVkN2I4NjcwMTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Leeds United
Leeds folk really love Leeds United, don't they? Having come from a historic footballing city in Sheffield and lived in Manchester where two of the biggest clubs in the world reside, it's definitely been interesting to see the depth of passion over here. Perhaps it's through having just the one team, but the club definitely feels engrained in the city unlike anywhere else I've been. I just wish I'd been around during the Bielsa years where I'm told the fever was on another level. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
![While Manchester had Chorlton and Didsbury and Sheffield had Sharrow Vale and Nether Edge, Leeds is also home to some lovely inner suburbs nestled away with their own identities. Explorations around the likes of Meanwood, Chapel Allerton and Farsley have certainly been days well spent.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmEyOTE2YjEwLWE1ZDItNGEwMi1iMGI5LWQ2ZDk5YjFiM2ExZDpiNzI0MmRmZS0zOTM3LTQ5NDAtOWI0Ni00MzA1MGEwNGE2YWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. The suburbs
While Manchester had Chorlton and Didsbury and Sheffield had Sharrow Vale and Nether Edge, Leeds is also home to some lovely inner suburbs nestled away with their own identities. Explorations around the likes of Meanwood, Chapel Allerton and Farsley have certainly been days well spent. Photo: James Hardisty