moving to the lancaster area

[shambers]

Hi, my husband, 2 kids (6 and 8yrs) and I have been mulling over moving to the Lancaster area for quite some time now. A combination of wanting to escape to the country and ditch the mortgage and me working is making it all the more attractive. I've been trying to gain a full picture of what it is like to live around there on the internet but most of the info seems student biased. We think it would make sense for us as husband needs to be near M6 and Manchester Airport. Schools are also v important to us too. Apart from postings about the awful traffic snarl-ups, I can't really find much else. We are in our early forties and I'd love to hear from anyone else who's made a similar move - the good, the bad and the ugly accepted! Any advice on great villages, primary schools etc would also be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[thinkofanamechange]

Hi Shambers!

I live near Garstang, so not too far from Lancaster (6 miles) There are some lovely villages nearby. (Scorton, Forton, Dolphinholme, Abbeystead) These are all south of Lancaster.

My house is 2mins away from jct 34 of the m6 which is very handy.

All the primary schools in and around Garstang are really good.

Yes the traffic in Lancaster can be a nightmare, but you soon learn what times to avoid.

I absoloutely love this area, if I won the lottery I'd still stay round here

[thinkofanamechange]

I mean jct 33 < not very good with directions >

[shambers]

Just logged on and thrilled to have received a reply! Do you think I should have posted this elsewhere on the 'talk' bit? Funny you should mention Garstang, we went for a walk around there last Sunday. By the canal, through a few fields, past a ruined old castle and down an old railway cutting. It was fab!

Sorry to be such a bore, but where do the children from Garstang tend to go to High School? Is there a choice? Are there any that stand out/should be avoided in your opinion? Also, I'm being really nosey now, have you lived in this area all your life? Only reason I ask is that my husband and I moved around quite a bit when we were in our 20s and early thirties but for some reason, I feel it will be harder to meet people now our children are a little older and so are we!

Thanks v much.

[HarrietJones]

I'm over the border in Cumbria , think that there isn't that many MNers in this area hence the lack of responses.
Good luck with the move

[thinkofanamechange]

There are a few high schools to choose from. My DS starts Garstang High in Sept but most of his friends are going to Ripley St. Thomas in Lancaster (this has a better reputation but is impossible to get into unless you've attended church for YEARS) DS sat the entrance test for Lancaster Grammar but didn't pass it.

I've lived in Forton for 8 years (lived in Blackpool before)

HTH,

[shambers]

Thanks for that. It sounds like agony. Am dreading the high school move and going on how quickly the last few years have flown, it won't be long... Thanks also to Harriet for good wishes. Don't by the way want to misrepresent myself here - we haven't yet sold our house so a move could be some time off but it all takes a lot of planning if you want to get it right. I'd hate to move and then find we'd bought in the wrong area and wanted to move again. Renting for a short time may be a solution but then you're still stuck with the schools you've opted for. We're only one hour down the road, heaven knows what it must be like to move to Australia!

[cyberfairy]

I moved here from Bath about five years ago and love it-never looked back and very happy here-friendly, green, lots of stuff to do, places to visit nearby and some stunning countryside.
Good luck with your move if you do it x
oh and feel free to message me x

[shambers]

Hello Cyberfairy, thanks for the words of encouragement. Haven't heard one negative message either on the thread or privately. We would so like to do this and the only thing now putting us off is the issue of secondary schools. The thought of all those lovely walks we could do though...

[silver28]

Hi shambers, I live near garstang and have done since I was 4. I live it round here, although don't know much else!

There are done excellent primary schools in and around garstang. Garstang high school is quite good I think (o went there and hot straight As and went to oxford uni) although of course things change over time. It went downhill after I left when it got a new head, but several years ago a new head started and it improved a lot. My niece is in yr 7 and they were tempted to send her to garstang high but chose Ripley in the end. My sister was impressed by garstang though, and she is a deputy head herself so knows what to look for.

There's also St Aidens which is a church school at preesall which is 15 mins or so from garstang, grammar schools in Lancaster which are very good but obv need to go entrance exams, and broughton high although that's 20 mins south of garstang so opp direction to Lancaster. Other schools in Lancaster too of course, though none that I've heard are particulary great.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you want any info about the area. I know it pretty well and love to sell it to people!

[silver28]

Scuse typos, bloody iPhone!

[chocolateshoes]

Hi - I live in a village between Lancaster & Kirkby Lonsdale (the Lune Valley)and teach in Lancaster. It is such a beautiful area and couldn't see myself moving away. There are several outstanding secondary schools - Ripley & the 2 Grammars as well as QES in Kirkby, plus some excelletn primaries....I've lived in and around Lancster for over 15 years and know most areas pretty well so feel free to ask. I also train teachers and as a result observe in most of the seconadary schools around here so get to see them from the inside.

we are 10 mins from j35 and have friends who commute to Manchester from villages such as Melling and Aughton (Lune Valley).

[silver28]

And Kirkby Lonsdale as beeeeeautiful!

[chocolateshoes]

I can't even blame iPhone for my typos Silver! Blame multi-tasking and visiting in-laws!! Agree OP should visit KL and also Lune valley.

There are also some great villages nearer J33 of M6 eg Bay Horse, Quernmore (excellent primary) and lovely countryside

[ellefdo]

Hi, I am moving in to Lancaster with a four year old and have to send him in to reception classes in September. Clueless about the whole process of schooling - please can anyone advise about the good schools to send a four year old? I can settle down within about half an hours driving distance to Lancaster university, so trying to choose an area with the best schools - government or private. Any help much appreciated - thanks!

[ellefdo]

Hi, I am moving in to Lancaster with a four year old and have to send him in to reception classes in September. Clueless about the whole process of schooling - please can anyone advise about the good schools to send a four year old? I can settle down within about half an hours driving distance to Lancaster university, so trying to choose an area with the best schools - government or private. Any help much appreciated - thanks!

[ellefdo]

Hi, I am moving in to Lancaster with a four year old and have to send him in to reception classes in September. Clueless about the whole process of schooling - please can anyone advise about the good schools to send a four year old? I can settle down within about half an hours driving distance to Lancaster university, so trying to choose an area with the best schools - government or private. Any help much appreciated - thanks!

[shambers]

Sorry. Haven't read this thread for a while. New school year's resolution - get going on Lancaster move although Kirkby Lonsdale is also tempting. Too far from airport for hubby though - I think!

[shambers]

Oh and good luck ellefdo.

[DreamingOfAWhiteChristmas]

I live near junc34, there isn't a massive difference I think in commuting from junc 33 or 34, and being a but north opens up QES secondary in moribund liberals etc. Interestingly my neighbour has three older girls 18,16 &14 and all got into ripley without them being church goers. What about caton, halton, (ofsted outstanding primary there) etc. I moved to the area 5 years ago and find with children irs much friendlier. I think if they do any groups or clubs you'd meet other parents and extend your circle through them, even if its just a means of meeting their friends!!!

chocolateshoes, I must be quite near you!!

[DreamingOfAWhiteChristmas]

*moribund liberals?! What the?! Auto correct got me (am on phone). Kirkby lonsdale I meant. And being a 'bit' further north.

Sorry for the dreadful typing.

The area is gorgeous, so much walking etc. If I could live anywhere I wouldn't move.

[vshah]

Hi All,

I have got admission in Lancaster university for doing my postgrad and i am planning to move to lancaster with my 2 kids (aged 6 & 4). I would like to rent a place in a safe area and looking for good schools as well. my husband is not moving with us as he is working in a contract job . I am just wondering if there are any nice/safe areas for kids with good schools nearer to the uni. Thanks a lot and any help would be appreciated.

[Indie4]

Hi
I am hopefully moving to Lancaster from London in July. I have a boy who will start year 7 in September. Unfortunately can't apply for any schools as not living there yet. Can anyone suggest schools to avoid.
Also how is Lancaster as a city. Would you suggest living inside or out?
All seems a bit terrifying at the moment!!!