In a survey conducted by Redrow, 64 per cent of Yorkshire respondents said having private outdoor space and bigger kitchens were the top priorities, as well as being near green open space and smaller shops for essential items. And, while many are still working from home, 47 per cent of respondents said they suspect that they will continue to go into the office part-time when lockdowns are lifted – so easy access to the city centre is a must.
But you want to live close enough to Leeds city centre for work but be able to branch out and have plenty of space at home – where should you buy a new home?
Places like Horsforth, Far Headingley and Roundhay are frequently touted as the most desirable addresses, but subsequently come with higher price tags.
However, there are new developments elsewhere in Leeds that may tick all the boxes.
Here are 10 great areas to move to be closer to nature and have more family-friendly space - all within commutable distance to the city centre.
1. Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park, which sits between Austhorpe and Garforth, is a new built neighbourhood, which features two contrasting Redrow developments, The Point and The Avenue. The homes are spacious with private outdoor areas but are also close to amenities. It is close to the M1 and near to Cross Gates train station with links to Leeds and York. Yorkshire property expert Andrew Demain said: "The combination of retail, leisure, offices and now homes at Thorpe Park is changing this location to a real work/live/relax destination. With the North Leeds link road coming soon and hopefully a new train station, Thorpe Park provides the opportunity to buy now before the whole infrastructure is here and prices potentially rocket.” Photo: Redrow
2. Garforth
Garforth There are plenty of great homes for sale in Garforth, including a new development at Aspen Park which offers a mix of family-sized mews, semi and townhouse properties. Yorkshire property expert Andrew Demain, from online estate agency Property Perspective, said: “Garforth is an aspirational address for residents of North East Leeds and is especially good for young families. It’s that bit nearer to the countryside and has a number of OFSTED rated ‘good’ primary schools, while Garforth Academy is rated ‘outstanding’ for secondary pupils." Garforth has two railway stations and good commuter links to Leeds and York. Photo: Redrow
3. Horsforth
Consistently voted one of the most describable places to live in Leeds is Horsforth. It is rated highly by estate agents due to it's great green spaces, good schools and university, busy high street and plentiful sports clubs. It has a wealth of bus routes into Leeds and a railway station with good links to Leeds, Harrogate and York. It was its own village until it became part of the Leeds metropolitan borough in 1974. The community created its own town council in 1999.
4. Bramley
The west Leeds suburb of Bramley has a medieval past which is reflected in the some of the homes you see in the area today. Much of Bramley was redeveloped in the 1960s which changed the area significantly and Bramley Shopping Centre replaced the former town centre. Today much of the area is protected by the Bramley Town Conservation Area. It has plenty of outdoor space including Bramley Falls Wood and Bramley Park, as well as the Edwardian Grade-II listed swimming baths Bramley Baths. It is served by Bramley Railway Station and buses into Leeds city centre.
5. Roundhay
Roundhay in north Leeds is a desirable suburb for families to move to due to its close proximity to the beautiful Roundhay Park, Tropical World and good amenities. Street Lane provides several pubs, supermarkets and independent shops, restaurants and takeaways. It has several primary schools and the nearest high schools are Roundhay School and Allerton Grange School. There is not a railway station in Roundhay but it is served by the number 2 bus via Chapel Allerton and the number 12 bus via Harehills into Leeds. They come every 10 minutes during the week and every 30 minutes on a Sunday.
6. Morley
On the outskirts of Leeds, Morley offers great affordable homes for families or young people wanting to get on the property ladder. It is approximately five miles south-west of the city centre and was incorporated into the Leeds district in 1972. The town has it's own high street with supermarkets, shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as Morley market. It has a big park, playing fields, a leisure centre and plenty of sports clubs. Morley's annual annual St George's Day parades has led to it being named "the most patriotic town in England". It has a railway station on the Huddersfield line, has buses to Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, and is close to te M621 motorway.