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AIBU?

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Original poster

Never been to the North really but pls tell me where to live

144 replies

TheFirmLurker · 13/08/2024 13:02

Technically I am lying. I have been to random Northern cities but mostly for night outs with friends who happened to be there for whatever reason.

Dh and I have decided to leave London. It’s too expensive and we are killing ourselves for an expensive mortgage which sucks the living life out of us. We were hoping to find a cheaper house in a home county but once rail cards and commute times get factored in I’m not sure we’ll be much better off.

So I’m just curious if you have any recommendations. Dh has to be in the office 3 times a week (I luckily don’t). He has the option to work out of Birmingham, Manchester or Liverpool.

I would love a village location where we aren’t on top of neighbours but can easily commute to a large town/city.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

OP posts:
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ErrolTheDragon · 13/08/2024 16:06

Elbone · 13/08/2024 16:04

Harrogate!

2 hours to Manchester, further to Liverpool and Birmingham. Confused

Elbone · 13/08/2024 16:04

Harrogate!

Icepinkeskimo · 13/08/2024 16:03

Snap! I am actively contemplating moving to Lichfield, as it ticks all the boxes. Beautiful housing, great connections to the north and London. It’s got it all, and regular trains into Birmingham if you wish.

ErrolTheDragon · 13/08/2024 16:03

CharlotteLucas3 · 13/08/2024 15:42

Personally I’d move just south of Birmingham. The West Yorkshire area is ok but the huge expanse of bleak moorland between there and Manchester can be a bit wearing after a while. Where I live you have to go on the M1 to go south and that’s a nightmare. It’s also surprisingly crowded because there are so many cities and everyone ends up at the same places for days out. I’d go for a village in the Forest of Arden area.

She wouldn't want to be in West Yorkshire or anywhere near the M1 for the cities relevant to her DHs job.Confused

Cheshire, parts of Lancashire, maybe Sefton coast, even north wales possibly?
So many possibilities... I think the OP and her DH need to have some weekends away to get a feel for the different areas.

Hobbesmanc · 13/08/2024 16:02

ImAFemaleVersionOfRoyKeane · 13/08/2024 15:18

I've never been, but a number of people have told me how lovely Chorlton cum Hardy is.

It's about three miles outside of Manchester City centre and apparently it has lovely restaurants, cafes, bars and delis etc. Supposedly it's "very middle class" and the place to live!?

It's a suburb. Deffo trendy with some studenty bits. Maybe less for families.

If you are looking at Manchester as a base then I'd agree with Cheshire market towns. Alderley Edge and even Wilmslow are very pricey but there's better property deals in Nantwich, Northwich. Sandbach etc. although the motorway links can be busy at peak times.

Hebden Bridge and Todmorden have train links to Manchester and Leeds. Great scenery. Trendy bars and places to eat. And property bargains like this mansion near Hebden

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147752987?utmcampaign=property-details&utmmcontent=buying&utmmedium=sharing&utmmsource=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

MimiSunshine · 13/08/2024 15:58

Check out Northwich and surrounding villages if you’re thinking Cheshire.
lots to do in and around the area, countryside, rivers, canals for dog walks and large country parks nearby.
winnington or Kingsmead for more of a newbuild house area or Hartford and Davenham (Dave ‘n’ um it doesn’t rhyme with Dagenham) for more of your older properties.

plus equal distance to Manchester and Chester, easy to get to Liverpool or the M6 to Birmingham.
90 mins to Anglesey for the weekend or the NW coast generally around Formby is lovely and easy drive for the day

x2boys · 13/08/2024 15:56

TheFirmLurker · 13/08/2024 13:38

I should have said we have 2 young kids. So when I say I want a rural feel I really mean that I would love to live in a village that is on the outskirts of a decent sized market town or similar. But I can’t really be out in the middle of nowhere at this stage.

My parents live in Greenmount Near Bury ,it's a lovely village ,with the penines and countryside nearby ,Nearby Rambottom ,Tottington ,Walshaw are nice areas too ,you can get Tram from Bury to Manchester.

LoseMeLikeAnArrow · 13/08/2024 15:56

KeepinOn · 13/08/2024 14:39

I don't know what the schools are like in the Wirral, but if you are looking at Liverpool, you'd need to focus quite closely on Aigburth ime. Schools in the North of the city are dire.

4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Aigburth Road, Aigburth, Liverpool, L17 (rightmove.co.uk)

That's lovely but on a very busy dual carriageway. Aigburth is lovely - Lark Lane is a fabulous hangout spot plus Sefton Park and Otterspool Prom. Loads to do and great for dogs.

Monkfish24 · 13/08/2024 15:51

@TheFirmLurker I live in Nantwich. Beautiful little market town, lots going on, great places to eat, nice walks on your door step if you've got a dog. Brilliant place for kids. Couldn't recommend it more and you'll definitely find something way within your budget here. It's very pretty and very well connected, less than 10mins on the trains to Crewe then you're connected to everywhere.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 13/08/2024 15:43

TenderChicken · 13/08/2024 13:14

If I were you I'd move to Marsden and commute to Manchester.

I looked at a house there, but it was just a bit too far from Leeds, where we would be commuting to. Loved the area though!

I was going to say Marsden, and I know folk who commute to Leeds from there.It's also about as far as you can get from the sea in England.

Chester ?

CharlotteLucas3 · 13/08/2024 15:42

Personally I’d move just south of Birmingham. The West Yorkshire area is ok but the huge expanse of bleak moorland between there and Manchester can be a bit wearing after a while. Where I live you have to go on the M1 to go south and that’s a nightmare. It’s also surprisingly crowded because there are so many cities and everyone ends up at the same places for days out. I’d go for a village in the Forest of Arden area.

iamtheblcksheep · 13/08/2024 15:42

I would go to Cumbria if it was up to me. I have no idea what the train commute is but the people are lovely. It’s a case of land that time forgot. Cash is still king, mobile signals are patchy and there’s not a Costa on every god dam corner. Then there’s the views. I love it

Sunglow1921 · 13/08/2024 15:37

There are lovely towns and villages in Cheshire that are well connected to Manchester. From Wilmslow you can get to Manchester in less than 20 minutes and to London in about 2 hours by train.

With you budget you could get a nice house, schools are generally very good and the Peak District is on your doorstep.

ImAFemaleVersionOfRoyKeane · 13/08/2024 15:18

I've never been, but a number of people have told me how lovely Chorlton cum Hardy is.

It's about three miles outside of Manchester City centre and apparently it has lovely restaurants, cafes, bars and delis etc. Supposedly it's "very middle class" and the place to live!?

Violinist64 · 13/08/2024 15:12

I would think that the Birmingham area might be the best bet. It is central for everything and easy to get back to London to see your friends. There are a lot of nice places to live nearby, too. There are a lot of lovely places in Warwickshire and Staffordshire. Birmingham is a a very interesting city, too, with lots to do. You should be able to find some lovely properties in your budget. Although there are some wonderful places in the north west, I think the Midlands would be more convenient in every way.

emsyj37 · 13/08/2024 15:02

I think some of the suggestions being made are assuming OP needs London access - I think the original ask was somewhere that her DH could commute into the office 3 times per week in either Manchester, Liverpool or Birmingham. Durham is a nice city, but goodness you wouldn't want to travel from there to any of those places 3 times a week! You'd be bankrupt and exhausted!!

DonnyDoris · 13/08/2024 15:01

emsyj37 · 13/08/2024 13:06

Come to the Wirral! Where I live we have great schools, 20 mins on the train into Liverpool, can see the sea from our house. Nice areas in reach of Liverpool are much cheaper than equivalently nice areas in reach of Manchester (I am not familiar with Birmingham so no comment on that area or surrounds).

I came on to say this! I grew up on the Wirral - my parents still live there. It's lovely and best of all worlds really - coastal, not far from cities and good travel links. Plus you'll get a nice house for your budget

jeaux90 · 13/08/2024 14:58

Oxfordshire, Chiltern line into Birmingham with access to Oxford, lovely city too.

Lovely Market Towns like Princes Risborough or Thame and plenty of surrounding villages.

Starlight1979 · 13/08/2024 14:57

Lmnop22 · 13/08/2024 14:18

Marple Bridge is a lovely village near all these places!

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Oh yes Marple Bridge too!

BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 13/08/2024 14:53

As PP said, Chester is fab and has a direct train to London if you're looking to stay in your current jobs.

Starlight1979 · 13/08/2024 14:52

Marsden or Saddleworth! Both an easy commute into Manchester (direct train goes via both), some of the best countryside in the NW, loads of walks and dog friendly pubs and coffee shops 😊

bellylaughter · 13/08/2024 14:47

Durham? It’s a small city so you won’t lose the city feel but still surrounded by rural areas. It’s also on the east coast main line so London in less than 3 hours