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Moving to Northwich / Middlewich area - Need advice!

39 replies

Zandana123 · 12/04/2019 23:30

Posting in sections as wouldn't let me post in one go for some reason...

Hi, new to posting on the forum, but looking for some advice as getting a little overwhelmed with moving, and don't want to make an expensive mistake!

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Zandana123 · 12/04/2019 23:31

Who, where, what, and why!
We (myself, wife, and 2yo daughter) are planning a move further North to be closer to family who live in south Manchester. We've been offered new jobs in Crewe and Warrington, so are somewhat restricted in areas to Northwich, Knutsford way, down to Middlewich, Holmes Chapel.
We have just accepted an offer on our property, and would be looking at a mortgage and cash potential of up to 330k.
We're really looking for a detached 4 bed so we have room for expanding the family and to have a guest room for family that will visit from further afield.

Help please!
We were mainly looking for some advice on areas to move to, having seen a wonderfully helpful thread for things to look out for:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/3543636-What-makes-a-perfect-home-for-raising-children?pg=1

What we've determined so far
So far we quite like the idea of Northwich suburbs (particularly Hartford, Davenham), but struggle to find a house in budget. We have found a potential in Leftwich area, but we know nothing about it, and it just looks like houses and nothing else... Would we feel too isolated on a street without young kids, or without shops/parks within a 10 minute walk?

Our budget stretches fairly well to north Middlewich, but we don't know the area either.

Does anyone know what schools are like around Leftwich, Middlewich area, as we're planning for primary school, and want to set ourselves up in the right area for secondaries too so we don't have to move again!

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Sirrah · 13/04/2019 13:48

I don't know the areas, but bear in mind that HS2 will probably be passing close to the area you're looking at. Check any properties against the route map.

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CatchingBabies · 13/04/2019 15:40

We’ve just moved away from that area and don’t regret it one little bit. Huge problems with anti-social behaviour, teenagers with weapons etc. Hartford school recently set on fire by a parent. I’d avoid it if you can.

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CatchingBabies · 13/04/2019 15:43

Knutsford is nice as is Holmes Chapel, we now live just outside Holmes Chapel and love it. Northwich, Middlewich, Winsford I would avoid. Some areas of Crewe are ok and other awful so depends where you are looking.

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Zandana123 · 13/04/2019 17:32

Thanks both! Yeah hs2 cuts close to Northwich on the east side.

Not what I was expecting! Hartford looks like a lovely little community.

I’ve heard from a few people that Holmes chapel is a good place to live, although the centre isn’t big and not loads to do there?

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nellyitsme · 13/04/2019 23:08

Weaverham is a nice place and Cuddington too I have family who've lived in both places

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slithytove · 13/04/2019 23:28

Not Middlewich not winsford

Sandbach, parts of Northwich (I love Hartford and Davenham), Knutsford, Holmes chapel all those areas are lovely

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Hartford19 · 14/04/2019 00:08

Huge problems with anti-social behaviour, teenagers with weapons etc. Hartford school recently set on fire by a parent. I’d avoid it if you can.

Wtf?! I live in Hartford and there is definitely not an issue with these things. Every single town and village in the country will have anti social incidents at some point.

In the few years I've lived here it is main road speeding and parking by the shops that seem to be the main topic on the local Facebook page!

It's a really lovely village. I moved from renting in Altrincham (too pricey) and now raising a young family here and don't regret it in the slightest.

If you like getting outdoors then there are lots of options for country parks, river walks, nature reserves, Delamere Forest all nearby.

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Hartford19 · 14/04/2019 00:19

And I've just looked up the 'Hartford school fire' to see what I had missed and it's not Hartford at all, it was Rudheath and was an isolated incident over a year ago. So I would ignore PP who can't even get facts right.

www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/17336280.philip-day-accused-of-arson-at-ucan-after-campaign-against-school/

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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 01:09

That's great info, thanks all.

We did take a quick look at Cuddington and seemed pleasant enough.

Are the state primary/secondaries in Hartford area good? Not sure we'll be able to squeeze in budget for what we want in Hartford!

Why not Middlewich? We've seen a couple of houses around there that we liked that are in budget (guess there's a reason for that?) :)

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Pieceofpurplesky · 14/04/2019 01:17

Hartford High is an excellent school. Over subscribed. No idea what the PP was in about. The fire was at a different school and done by a parent with a grudge (totally unreasonable grudge).

Winnington Village is a new estate and has some great houses. Kingsmead?

I

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slithytove · 14/04/2019 01:27

Middlewich has rubbish funding and huge traffic issues
Good primaries crap secondary

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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 10:03

Yeah two of the houses we liked in middlewich area were selling because their kids have grown up and now go to Holmes chapel high school.

I guess feasibly if the house/price is right we could do similar and move in 9 years for high school if the primaries are ok!

Not too much of a fan of new build houses. Seem smaller with small gardens generally.

Going up on Monday to see if my wife likes any of the houses we’ve shortlisted and will make a decision from there whether to proceed with a purchase or step back and rent for some time. Found a lovely rental in Hartford that could work short to medium term, but don’t want to rent somewhere where we might not end up living as we’ll start to grow roots!

Complicated stuff this moving malarkey 🙂

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slithytove · 14/04/2019 12:36

Don’t get my wrong Middlewich is ok - try and live on the Nantwich road side as it’s better for your commute. If you are thinking short term only then yes it’s a nice place, but there is no pool, no cinema, no railway

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slithytove · 14/04/2019 12:38
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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 13:24

Yeah I viewed that the other day, we’re seeing it together tomorrow. Was a lovely house. Hard judging value as not many other similar sold properties recently

Also it’s on the wrong side of town for the commute I guess!

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MrsCasares · 14/04/2019 15:15

Have you had a look at Nantwich. Lovely Cheshire town. Also Sandbach.

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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 16:08

Unfortunately Nantwich is a bit too far for my wife’s commute and distance to family. Sandbach might be ok due to good link with m6

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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 23:07

Thanks ruggypeg! Lot of effort there 🙂

Some nice looking houses. Somerford development does look quite nice actually

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Pieceofpurplesky · 14/04/2019 23:28

Kelsall?
This is a great house in a good spot
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-79801907.html

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Pieceofpurplesky · 14/04/2019 23:30

And Kelsall primary is excellent. It's secondary is the excellent Tarporley High.

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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 23:55

Kelsall is starting to get a little far from parents at 45 minute drive. Does look nice though, Royal Oak pub looks lovely

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Zandana123 · 14/04/2019 23:57

Will let you all know how the viewings go tomorrow! Got Hartford, leftwich, middlewich and Holmes chapel lined up... 6 houses, gonna be busy day! Poor DD will be worn out too by the end of it!

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CatchingBabies · 15/04/2019 23:33

Sorry mixing up the schools yes. It was a child that set Hartford school on fire, the parent was Rudheath.


www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-hartford-school-fire-arrest-1202-20161201-story.html%3foutputType=amp

Also some info about the recent crimes and anti-social behaviour in Hartford that has been a problem recently.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-connecticut-juvenile-justice-20181206-story.html%3foutputType=amp

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