Where to look for housing in York? Buy or rent?

Hi.  My partner is considering a job in York for the next year.  We are in our mid-40's, well-educated, 3 older teenagers in tow and have no idea where to look for housing.  We currently live in a city, bike to work/school, and love the urban experience.  We want to be able to walk to most places if possible (shops, coffee, restaurants, York university (for our oldest)), yet feel safe at night.  Any suggestions?  PLEASE!  Also - we currently own our home but would consider renting rather than go broke.  Which would be better?  We currently have a small mortgage on a house worth about 700,000 US.  Thanks!   

York is pretty compact and super-walk & bikeable, so as long as you aren't out in the suburbs you will definitely have that aspect. Can't comment on property prices, but it's a cool town, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

I know nothing about york, but you can search for properties to rent/buy on rightmove. Property seems quite cheap in York (comparatively to what I've been looking at recently.)

I think you should buy this

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-35034149.html?premiumA=true

I love York and we considered moving there (from Leeds) at one point. In the end we decided the nonstop tourists would drive us crazy if we lived centrally. And living outside the city centre would be inconvenient as neither of us drove.
May not be issues for you, however.