Possibly moving up North for a better way of life..

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

We have been seriously thinking about moving up North, and would love some tips on the best areas.

Currently in the South East, and we really do struggle. We are in a tiny new build flat and it's starting to feel very overcrowded. We can't move as we can't afford to (privately rent) and we've had enough now.

It may be possible for DH to get a work transfer as the company he works for has a few bases scattered around the country. I did have a look in Cumbria, and adore the property there (about an hour commute for DH) however we don't know if we would have much choice, if any, by relying on his current job placements.

Has anyone else done similar? Would love to hear about it please.

[ApplesTheHare]

Hiya Southern

I moved up 5/6 years ago now, having always lived in the south east/London, and I wouldn't go back. It's deffo a bit 'different' in parts of the north but the quality of life is fantastic. The difference in the housing market means we can afford something along the lines of a 4-bed detached rather than a 2-bed flat at most. Transport links aren't as good, so if you'll be linked to a location for work I'd live closer to it than you would plan to in the south. Tons of the North is gorgeous though, just depends on whether you fancy city life, the countryside or even seaside living!

Good luck whatever you decide to do

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

Thank you for the quick reply Apples

We are also in the position, like you, where we are currently in a 2 bed and, having had a quick look in random locations, I see that we will be able to afford a 4-bed too.

I think we would want somewhere located in the country side, with easy access to a city and seaside - basically everything you said

We're moving with children too, so want to be 100% sure on our decision.

[lk26]

I live in Cumbria so can offer my own take on where to go and schools etc if that helps ?

[EllieM22]

Do it! We just did this from Reading to Leeds. We could afford a proper family home, and everyone is so friendly! DH was able to transfer and took a paycut but it still works out much cheaper. We are all so much happier up here 😊

[Dannygirl]

Yes we did it a couple of years ago and haven't looked back - where would your DH work options be? Yorkshire is very good for being close to city/town and countryside

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

Yes please lk26, that would be fab.

The nearest work placement possible to there is in Chorley. I have no idea if this is a realistic commute . However, it may be possible that once we settle, DH can look locally for work.

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

Crossed Posted with Ellie & Danny. Hang on while I get DC's bedtime done, and I'll be back

[dun1urkin]

Have a look at Lancaster & surrounds. I used to live in Chorley and commute to Lancaster, it was around 45 mins if I recall correctly.
Lancaster has good transport links and is close to the South Lakes etc

[gillybeanz]

Chorley is lovely, but they have a scheme for local people to buy houses atm.
Not sure how it works or why but have seen them advertised on Rightmove.
Rawtenstall and Clitheroe are rural (ish), the Ribble Valley is beautiful and of course Clitheroe Royal grammar is one of the traditional grammars where parents in the whole don't tutor believe it or not.

[HermioneWeasley]

Need to think about future jobs/careers for both of you - there's not a lot in Cumbria. Think about being within commuting distance of bigger cities like Leeds and Manchester.

I did it, and don't understand why anyone lives in the SE if you don't need to (unless you're super rich). Quality of life up here is so much better

[ohforfoxsake]

I moved from London to Manchester 6 years ago. Best thing I could have done. Very happy, much better house, schools, transport, kids very happy.

[Vinegartitsvera]

Kendal is very close to M6 so straight commute to Chorley, although it's not the best stretch of motorway as prone to hold ups. Alternatively some lovely villages around Lancaster area.

[Vinegartitsvera]

Alternatively Garstang and surrounding pretty villages, close to Preston, Blackpool and Chorley.

[buzzbobboo]

You'll never manage the commute from the Lakes. Don't do it.

There are loads of places more accessible that are lovely (I second looking at Clitheroe area, Forest of Bowland) and you can still reach the lakes for day trips. Also being closer to Chorley means you're closer to Manchester which is an ace city.

Alternatively look coastal - Southport, Lytham perhaps. Formby is a gorgeous bit of coast but the town itself may be too pricey (lots of footballers)

[honeysucklejasmine]

We're thinking of doing the same. We could get a 5 bed detached for approx £50k less than our 3 bed terrace!

We're looking at the area between Warwick (too pricey) and the peak district (not too far from family).

So glad to hear people don't regret the move! I'm a teacher so I can work anywhere. But where exactly we are will depend on DH's job.

[FlamingoSnuffle]

Admittedly we didn't live in the South but we relocated from the Midlands area to Leeds for more job opportunities for Dh's work.

We have family over in Lancashire so regularly travel the M62 (highest motorway in England) through the Pennines.

We have friends in the South who are squished into teeny houses worth twice as much as our house.

If you can relocate for work, I would do it. Just think about anyone you might want to visit darn sarf because it is a hell of a journey from the Lakes.

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

Didn't expect so many replies already! Nice to see that so many have already made the move, and have it work out for them.

Seems Chorley is a nicer area than I thought, as well as surrounding areas. Is it busy or quiet? Are people friendly to newcomers?

Will not attempt the commute based on your advice buzz

We don't have any family past Surrey (we are even further down) and so will be totally alone up there - has anyone done this too? We dont even know anyone remotely close, it's the one thing that worries me.

[Kidnapped]

Problem with places like Cumbria is that there isn't a huge amount of work there and the work that is there tends to be low-paid and/or seasonal. That's why people live in Birmingham rather than Grasmere unfortunately.

And Cumbria has the double whammy of lower local wages and high house prices (due to it being a tourist hot spot and lots of second homes). It is also not greatly placed for commuting to where the better-paid jobs are.

Lancashire is much better placed for job opportunities. And it has lovely parts itself of course.

[Bb90]

Reading - Newcastle
Wouldn't move back, however my family are all down south. DP is away with work a lot (half the year) so just me and the cat, only time will tell whether I'm able to be just as happy with kids and no help from family

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

This is all a great help - thank you

The other area that is a possibility is Cramlington in Northumberland or Fife, although that may be pushing us too far North which terrifies me-- We don't know if we would get much choice on where we go. DH is having to ask for the transfer, and we don't know what the outcome will be at all.

I've taken into account the fact that a commute probably is a terrible idea now, so based on that perhaps I should just stick to a half hour or so travel, maximum.

Any more tips on the best places would be fab. Also warnings on where to avoid be great too.

[NicknameUsed]

Cramlington isn't particularly nice, but there are other much nicer towns in Northumberland. Morpeth is lovely and not very far from Cramington. Alnick is nice as well. Ashington and Blyth are grim.

[NicknameUsed]

Alnwick, not Alnick.

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

Thank you Nickname. Perhaps we should try and push for Lancashire in that case!

[SunnyUpNorth]

We moved up north from London nearly 5 years ago and would NEVER move back. Even my husband who is a southerner has embraced it. When we have to go to London now for work or to visit family etc we are constantly shocked at how hard the quality of life is there and everyone is so competitive about money. We don't understand why everyone there is working so hard for huge salaries to take on scary mortgages but still only be able to bed a two end terraced house and then have stress about schools, crime etc

I feel like I can breathe again. I think a stint in London when you're young and child free is fun but it's not for me for life and I would hate to be raising my kids there.

Go for it! But research your move carefully or the culture shock could be too great.