Formby and Ainsdale

[jo10000]

Hi, I'm relocating to Southport area in the summer and am considering Ainsdale or Formby to live. I have a phobia about creepy crawlies and wondered if the Formby Wildlife Nature Reserve or the Ainsdale Nature Reserve impacted any nearby houses in terms of having more creepy crawlies in the house than you'd normally expect. Would really appreciate any comments from people who live near these reserves. As it's a phobia please do not give me scare stories in terms of how big or horrible etc! Many thanks in advance for any help.

[Crinkle77]

I live not far from there and have friends who are from that area. I have never heard them mention having loads of creepy crawlies. I don't really know what creepy crawlies you imagine there would be loads of. It's sandy terrain and you have the pine woods so you might get more flying insects and there are red squirrels. There used to be natterjack toads which are protected but I never saw any and not sure if they are still there. That's all I can help with really.

[jo10000]

Thank you, that sets my mind at rest. It's spiders that freak me out and just wondered if there'd be more around because of trees and nature reserve, so thanks for responding.

[Crinkle77]

Unless you live right next to the woods I think you will be ok. Even then I don't think there would be significantly more. Good luck and hope you like the area.

[jo10000]

Thanks, now we're looking into schools, there's so much to do. It's all come suddenly due to family circumstances.

[MayhemandMadness]

Absolutely no more spiders in Formby more than anywhere else. Formby is now fairly big so plenty of houses away from the pinewoods but still within a few minutes drive or a short walk.

[MayhemandMadness]

Primary or secondary schools?

[HopeClearwater]

Please get that phobia treated.

[jo10000]

Thanks all, good to hear about Formby, we were that a couple of weeks ago and it looked lovely. I'm actually looking for a secondary school for my 13 year old daughter and primary for 8 yr old son. I believe all the good high schools are over subscribed but on the off chance that there'll be space in yr 9 in sept, any recommendations? I believe Greenbank, Formby High and Range are outstanding but any parents' view on them would be greatly appreciated.

I think I am getting better with my phobia but a house is such a big purchase I'd rather not test myself in my home.

Thanks all

[MayhemandMadness]

You get more for your money in Ainsdale for property but they dont have a high school anymore and there are more areas in Ainsdale that I would avoid than in Formby.

My Dc go to Range, good school, lots of after school clubs which they can get involved with. It is oversubscribed but there is always movement and the start of year with most schools. I went to Range as well and there are still some teachers there from my day, they don't tend to have a high turnover of staff which speaks for itself. Generally the students are well behaved but you will always get some disrespectful kids in any school. St Lukes is a feeder school to Range, mine didnt go there but I've heard good things about it.

Whats your budget for house? We've got some newbuilds just off park rd and planning has been granted for a new estate by the by-pass.

[jo10000]

Hi, thanks for the info. Our budget is around £270k but we could go to £300k if we loved the property. What are the areas you would advise to avoid in Ainsdale and Formby? There are quite a few properties we like in Ainsdale (from Rightmove) around Westminster Drive. Suprised some are still on the market. Do you think the lack of a High School is why its a bit cheaper there? Thanks

[MayhemandMadness]

Westminster drive and around that estate is good. Anything towards the sea from Liverpool Rd is ok, the other side of Liverpool Rd, around Sandbrook Rd and Heathfield Rd is a bit rough, not inner city level but not somewhere I would consider. House prices have always been a little lower in Ainsdale than Formby, I think its because the footballers chose Formby so its seen as more desirable.

One thing to note is Formby postcode is L37, under Liverpool, Ainsdale is PR8 under Southport so can impact on insurances - just in case you have a supercar

[jo10000]

Thanks for the insight, I would never have thought about car insurance! We're coming up over the half term so will have a look at properties in both areas and see where we feel at home, thanks again for your time in replying, and to everyone - things are a lot clearer now!

[OnTheMove28]

You probably know this already but Greenbank is an all-girls school.

I'd agree that you get more for your money in Ainsdale and it also feels more "connected" to Southport while Formby is a bit more self-contained if you see what I mean.

[jo10000]

Thanks, that's helpful. Does anyone know how long it takes to walk from the respective train stations to Greenbank, Formby High and Range? Also by year 9 are the children still in absolute school uniform or does it dilute slightly eg Greenbank still pleated skirts, is that still true? Don't want to get precise uniform if she's going to stand out because it's more relaxed than they'll admit. Thanks

[OnTheMove28]

Hillside station to Greenbank is 5 mins (literally). Did it myself for five years - but that was 30 years ago!

[MayhemandMadness]

Formby station to either Range or Formby High is around 15-20 min walk. There is a school bus which picks up for Range though, not sure about Formby High. DD tells me that they have spells at Range with regards to uniform but they are all pretty much standard stuff apart from different skirt styles etc. There is a unifotm shop now in Formby by The Grapes which has Formby and Range, not sure about Greenbank thou. Still have a shop in Southport as well.

[jo10000]

Thanks all, going to see if we can visit schools in next few weeks and then apply.