Home to over 300 schools and multiple family friendly attractions, it’s easy to see why Leeds is a popular place to set up home. The city also boasts numerous green spaces and a growing economy which offers working parents an array of job opportunities. Plus, thanks to its great road and rail links, Leeds is well connected to other nearby commuter towns and cities too.
As a result, if your family is planning a move to northern England, this West Yorkshire city could be ideal. But which areas are best for raising children? From trendy Meanwood to leafy Roundhay and budding Pudsey, here’s our pick of the best places to live in Leeds for families.
8 of the most family friendly places to live in Leeds
- Roundhay
Average house price: £316, 625 | Semi-detached: £339k | Terraced: £287k
Located 3 miles north west of Leeds, Roundhay is best known for its 700 acre namesake park. Here you can enjoy woodland trails, sports pitches, playgrounds and a skate park. This is topped off by indoor wildlife park Tropical World – home to butterflies, meerkats and more. But that’s not the only reason why Roundhay is one of the best places to live in Leeds for families.
Dotted around Street Lane, there are various cafes, supermarkets and restaurants, plus a butchers, bakery, opticians and more. Ofsted also recently rated Roundhay School for 4-18 year olds Outstanding, and there are several Good primary and secondary schools here too.
- Oakwood
Average house price: £256,556 | Semi-detached: £268k | Terraced: £249k
Nestled just below Roundhay is its more affordable neighbour – Oakwood. In fact, your money will go considerably further here, making large homes with gardens more accessible.
Only a 10 minute drive from Leeds city centre, you’ll find a host of amenities on the doorstep. This includes a large Tesco, local post office, library, hairdressers and multiple places to eat. Not to mention plenty of highly rated schools, nurseries and a special needs school too.
Oakwood also offers easy access to Roundhay Park’s lake trails and football pitches. There’s even a land train to save little legs the walk to the north end of the park during the holidays.
- Chapel Allerton
Average house price: £312,275 | Semi-detached: £316k | Terraced: £308k
Sticking close by but moving slightly west, we come to Chapel Allerton. Frequently named amongst the best places to live in Leeds for families, this welcoming suburb is popular with all age groups. Properties here range from art deco semi detached homes to Victorian terraces and modern bungalows. Either way, they never stay on the market long!
Amenities you’ll look forward to as a Chapel Allerton resident include independent cafes, community allotments and a local library. You’ll also find a handful of art galleries, music venues, martial arts clubs, nurseries and primary schools. If you have older children, Allerton High School is just up the road and there are several faith-based schools nearby too.
- Morley
Average house price: £223,536 | Semi-detached: £225k | Terraced: £172k
If you’re looking for a more affordable Leeds postcode, how about the market town of Morley? Situated 5 miles south west of the city centre, Morley is a well-connected Leeds commuter town, both by train and via the M62. It’s also safer than cheap inner suburbs like Beeston and Seacroft, making it a better option for first-time buyers with families.
For families, Morley’s town centre offers a range of shops, a soft play centre, indoor market and a leisure centre with two swimming pools. This Leeds suburb also boasts 13 schools and 13 nurseries to choose from, including top-rated secondary The Morland Academy.
- Horsforth
Average house price: £336,404 | Semi-detached: £337k | Terraced: £281k
Back in the north west of Leeds is the thriving town of Horsforth. Home to 20,000 people, this affluent suburb is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Leeds for families. This is due to its safe, community feel and superb primary schools like Westbrook Lane and Featherbank. There’s also a bustling high street with independent shops, cafes and gastropubs to explore.
Horsforth Hall Park with its cricket pitches and play area is also a major draw, as is nearby None Go Bye Farm with donkeys, goats, llamas and more for kids to meet. Moreover, the city centre is just 25 minutes away via train and Leeds Bradford Airport is only a 5 minute drive.
- Pudsey
Average house price: £225,902 | Semi-detached: £231k | Terraced: £195k
Pudsey is another relatively low-cost suburb that is proving increasingly popular amongst first-time buyers and growing families. In fact, the Sunday Times recently named it one of the best places to buy a home in Leeds because of the good value it offers. There are also several good primary schools, including Pudsey Waterloo and Primrose Hill, and 3 high schools too.
Nestled 6 miles to the west of Leeds city centre, Pudsey has numerous amenities to offer adults and children alike. This includes a 7.5 hectare park with Green Flag status, animal park and recently refurbished playground. Plus, in the centre, you’ll find restaurants, shops, a local leisure centre with pool, an indoor climbing wall and a traditional market open 3 days a week.
- Guiseley
Average house price: £290,374 | Semi-detached: £322k | Terraced: £261k
Ranked amongst the top 10 safest places to live in Leeds, Guiseley is a lesser known gem situated 10 miles north west of the city. Offering affordable homes and several good schools, it’s a great choice for families. Plus, it’s road and rail connections to Bradford, Leeds and the Yorkshire Dales mean you can enjoy a slower pace while never being far from the action.
As a Guiseley resident, you’ll have two retail parks, an adventure play area and various cafes on your doorstep. Not to mention a leisure centre, community theatre and multiple parks, gardens and sports fields to keep the kids entertained. What more could you need?
- Meanwood
Average house price: £265,227 | Semi-detached: £313k | Terraced: £234k
Love the idea of living in Chapel Allerton, but feeling priced out? Then its trendy neighbour Meanwood could offer the perfect solution. Listed amongst the Telegraph’s top 15 coolest places in the UK, Meanwood is an up and coming area in north west Leeds. Just 3 miles from the city centre, you’ll find a mix of affordable family homes here and regular commuter buses.
The high street is small, but there are supermarkets and restaurants dotted all around. On top that, you’ll benefit from Meanwood Park’s tennis courts, play area and the Meanwood Valley Trail. There’s also an urban working farm where children can meet the animals. And if that wasn’t enough, Meanwood Church of England Primary School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
Ready to move to the best place to live in Leeds for families?
Once you’ve selected your favourite place to live in Leeds for families, it’s time to set the wheels in motion. Whether you’ve inherited a property elsewhere or you’re struggling to sell your own in a less appealing area, we’ve got you covered.
As a well-established cash house buyer, WeBuyAnyHome can help speed up the process and buy your house outright in as little as 7 days. Receive a free, no obligation cash offer today and move one step closer to owning your dream home in Leeds.
*Average selling prices based on data from the last 12 months, according to Right Move
