SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I've been in Leeds for three years now, I'm a bit sick of living in a small city centre flat now. I've been looking at houses to rent in various different areas and saw one the top of Armley, very near the Industrial Museum. Obviously its clearly a working class area, which I have no issue with, but is it safe etc to live there? I had a walk round the surrounding streets today, it seemed very quiet, with only a handful of people out and about. Most gardens were well kept, so I thought people must have pride in the area. What struck me though was every other house had an iron gate thingy infront of its door, even in these quiet cul-de-sacs. Is crime a massive issue? Google searches don't really provide much in the way of balanced or honest opinion, some people seem to think its ok whereas there's people who are pretty hostile to Armley (and everywhere south of the river/east of the city centre). Things like young lads hanging on street corners don't bother me one bit, its real crime that concerns me.Anyone venture an opinon?

I lived in armley for 12 years. Got burgled three times, scrotes from Bramley twice. At the time il leeds that seemed normal an gates were a response to kicking doors in which I haven't heard happen for years now. Never felt physically threaten but I'm 6'2. Knew my neighbours, friendly place, rough around the edges, liked it, full of all sorts.    

If asyou say nearly every house has bars on its doors there is your answer. good luck anyway with your search.

Hi mapps87.Armley is a grand place to live, with a very busy and vibrant shopping area along Armley Town Street.Like most places there are isolated incidents of anti-social activity, but unlike most places, it has quite big fires.Yet, on the whole it's quietly becoming a sought after area. Now very post-industrial, it's remaining mills have either been converted to well appointed flats (and apparently nightclubs) or have regenerated to meet modern industrial demands. Armley still has millions of back to back houses, well - Thousands. Solid built with acres and acres of Yorkshire Pudding as the mortar. Still stood standing. There is a rich cultural diversity with many people choosing to settle here which helps the local economy. Armley was on its backside five or six years ago, but with some investment in tasteful regeneration and a vibrant population, it feels so much more positive now.Is this selling it?

Ha, Thanks for the replies...well as I kind of expected there are mixed replies.Its probably hard to define a whole area in one sentiment, I'm sure there are better places than others. Beeston has a poor reputation, yet there are streets there which have houses which have made my jaw drop. To those who have negative views, I'd like to know where decent ordinary working class people in Leeds live. Every time I've asked someone about any of the inner city neighbourhoods, I get a negative response in general. Where do decent working people who can't afford massive 5 bedroom houses that need easy access to the city centre for work live?I'm going to head back to Armley tommorow for another look, maybe later in the evening. I'm a big Scottish chap with a scowl so as i said in my OP, scallies on street corners don't bother me. Things like doors getting kicked in do though. So thanks for the replies, I'm an eternal optimst so hopefully it works out

Welcome to sl mappsArmley seem fine to me, I've wandered, shopped visited though never lived there. Seen from the Kirkstall Valley there's an interesting looking ridge which must have a fine view. Easy access to canal, buses etc.In fact for sensible money, compared so some city living places, you might want to sit down with the bus map and/or train and pick a spot from there. http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/leeds/a ... fHorsforth has a village high street, good bus and train links, Chapel Allerton nice too. Headingley perhaps has too much pressure on housing being student bedsit land, though nice.Meanwood seems up and coming.

Lots of unrented property in headingley further out of town as students focus on more central purpose built accommodation. The unipol paper even described it as "worth the extra travel time"!

I think every area has its good and bad bits. As you say, places like Beeston have a bad reputation, but I lived there for 20 years with no bother beyond one stolen car and one flasher(!), and with the benefit of good solid houses with big rooms, excellent transport links and handy cheap shopping. My mum, on the other hand, lives in leafy Chapel Allerton, which has lots of more upmarket facilities, but higher rates of burgary and crime of that kind. Swings and roundabouts really - have an explore and see what you like the look of.

leedslily wrote: I think every area has its good and bad bits. As you say, places like Beeston have a bad reputation, but I lived there for 20 years with no bother beyond one stolen car and one flasher(!), and with the benefit of good solid houses with big rooms, excellent transport links and handy cheap shopping. My mum, on the other hand, lives in leafy Chapel Allerton, which has lots of more upmarket facilities, but higher rates of burgary and crime of that kind. Swings and roundabouts really - have an explore and see what you like the look of. There was a program on TV a few months ago and the area you've looked at was featured as a bit of a burglary "hotspot".I assume it was the area near to Armley Park(back entrance) .Lodge Rd?

Cardiarms wrote: Lots of unrented property in headingley further out of town as students focus on more central purpose built accommodation. The unipol paper even described it as "worth the extra travel time"! Does Headingley still appear on the insurance blacklist? I recall that Hyde Park and some of the nearby Headingley were amongst the most burgled postcodes in the UK and insurance for houses and cars was hiked up considerably. I don't know whether this still applies as it was about 20 years ago.