Katy and Jake are a young couple who moved several times before coming to settle in... er Settle (I've always wanted to write that - sorry!). What motivated them to set up their home and business in the Yorkshire Dales?
Kate explains, "Green space and lovely countryside! At the time Jake was working for Ritter Sport Chocolate in Leeds City Centre and I had just left my job working for McVitie's Cake in Halifax in order to set up my own business. As Jake was able to work from home 3 days a week we decided to look for somewhere with lots of green space but still within an hours commute on the train into Leeds. We're now living in Rathmell just outside Settle.
"We love the quality and balance of lifestyle you can have living here. The weather can be so varied but rain, snow or gorgeous sun shine (we've seen it all!) there's plenty to enjoy and do and the scenery always looks amazing! The community spirit is lovely also, especially since opening our business, everyone is super friendly and welcoming and are largely enthusiastic about seeing young people setting up businesses and moving to the area. We've also welcomed a new addition to the family since we moved - our daughter Grace was born on the 6th February this year. The happiest part of our move so far!"
So has the move been smooth and easy? After a bumpy start, yes. "Initially whilst in the early stages of opening our cafe, bar and bottle shop, The Boxer and Hound, we faced some opposition to our planning application to change the use of the shop and to serving alcohol. However, we overcame these and since opening have had really positive feedback from locals who have said it's great to see young people moving to the area and starting up a business."
"Initially Jake continued to work in Leeds city centre, commuting two days a week by train. We were impressed with the times of the trains from both Settle and Giggleswick although the frequency could be increased and also the number of carriages - they were often very crowded, which shows the demand is clearly there! I think the ability to commute to Leeds in approximately an hour could be better advertised to encourage people to move to the area - especially as jobs become more flexible with working from home and flexible working hours.
Now we are both working in The Boxer and Hound. We try to use as much local produce as possible, stocking bottled beers from many of the great local breweries the Dales has to offer for people to drink in or takeaway!"
Kate's top tips for anyone thinking of moving here?
"Do it! Take the plunge and go for it! Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes for the winter, learn how to herd cows (that may just be where we live but they do sometimes get out!) and remember to order heating oil - the winters can get cold!
Some more serious tips - make sure you drive out to the area a few times and spend some time in the village/town you are thinking of moving to. Some of the Dales towns can be quite isolated so it's great to make local friends and be part of the community!"
Kate explains, "Green space and lovely countryside! At the time Jake was working for Ritter Sport Chocolate in Leeds City Centre and I had just left my job working for McVitie's Cake in Halifax in order to set up my own business. As Jake was able to work from home 3 days a week we decided to look for somewhere with lots of green space but still within an hours commute on the train into Leeds. We're now living in Rathmell just outside Settle.
"We love the quality and balance of lifestyle you can have living here. The weather can be so varied but rain, snow or gorgeous sun shine (we've seen it all!) there's plenty to enjoy and do and the scenery always looks amazing! The community spirit is lovely also, especially since opening our business, everyone is super friendly and welcoming and are largely enthusiastic about seeing young people setting up businesses and moving to the area. We've also welcomed a new addition to the family since we moved - our daughter Grace was born on the 6th February this year. The happiest part of our move so far!"
So has the move been smooth and easy? After a bumpy start, yes. "Initially whilst in the early stages of opening our cafe, bar and bottle shop, The Boxer and Hound, we faced some opposition to our planning application to change the use of the shop and to serving alcohol. However, we overcame these and since opening have had really positive feedback from locals who have said it's great to see young people moving to the area and starting up a business."
"Initially Jake continued to work in Leeds city centre, commuting two days a week by train. We were impressed with the times of the trains from both Settle and Giggleswick although the frequency could be increased and also the number of carriages - they were often very crowded, which shows the demand is clearly there! I think the ability to commute to Leeds in approximately an hour could be better advertised to encourage people to move to the area - especially as jobs become more flexible with working from home and flexible working hours.
Now we are both working in The Boxer and Hound. We try to use as much local produce as possible, stocking bottled beers from many of the great local breweries the Dales has to offer for people to drink in or takeaway!"
Kate's top tips for anyone thinking of moving here?
"Do it! Take the plunge and go for it! Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes for the winter, learn how to herd cows (that may just be where we live but they do sometimes get out!) and remember to order heating oil - the winters can get cold!
Some more serious tips - make sure you drive out to the area a few times and spend some time in the village/town you are thinking of moving to. Some of the Dales towns can be quite isolated so it's great to make local friends and be part of the community!"
