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AIBU?

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Original poster

Cheshire but down south?

115 replies

Cheshirequestions · 10/02/2026 12:36

Hi all, posted here for traffic.

We (couple in our 30s plus DCs under 5), currently live in Cheshire and absolutely love it here. We’re close to Alderley Edge high street and I love that we live somewhere that feels fairly rural whilst also having so much within walking distance. We have a lovely mixture of chain and independent restaurants/cafes, and have a local train station. Plus we’re only 20 minutes away from Manchester.

I know it’s not to everybody’s taste, but we love the vibe here and are really sad to be leaving.

We need to be somewhere in this circle ideally. We are completely newbies when it comes to this area - are there any places here that are like Cheshire?!

Cheshire but down south?
OP posts:
Linguist1979 · 10/02/2026 13:23

Henley, Marlow, Wallingford, beaconsfield, Gerard’s cross.

shimasu · 10/02/2026 13:20

Not a very good one if the OP spends hours looking through the internet at properties on the back of what she thinks is a genuine post.

SkyHi5 · 10/02/2026 13:19

How about Marlow in Buckinghamshire?

Starlight1979 · 10/02/2026 13:15

shimasu · 10/02/2026 13:14

Why?? Take no notice OP.

Show quote history

I think it's called a joke....

shimasu · 10/02/2026 13:14

InveterateWineDrinker · 10/02/2026 12:56

Luton is exactly like Alderley Edge, maybe a little more cosmopolitan, and the houses are cheaper too. Good access to highly rated international airport, just like you're used to. You'll love it there!

Edited

Why?? Take no notice OP.

Nourishinghandcream · 10/02/2026 13:12

InveterateWineDrinker · 10/02/2026 12:56

Luton is exactly like Alderley Edge, maybe a little more cosmopolitan, and the houses are cheaper too. Good access to highly rated international airport, just like you're used to. You'll love it there!

Edited

Luton.........🤔

Ohhhh, you fibber!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Ablondiebutagoody · 10/02/2026 13:10

Right at the north of your circle, I would choose Market Harborough

Original poster
Cheshirequestions · 10/02/2026 13:06

Princejoffyjaffur · 10/02/2026 12:45

Loads of lovely places in your circle and much nicer than Cheshire IMO

What places would you recommend?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cheshirequestions · 10/02/2026 13:05

campaignforreasonabledebate · 10/02/2026 12:51

Also came on to suggest Gerrards Cross or Beaconsfield. Both are upmarket and reasonably lively, affluent villages / small (ish) towns, with a not dissimilar feel to AE (though no flash car meets, snd perhaps slightly less "showy" than AE can be - though often is not). Both have a similar positioning with respect to London as Alderley Edge does with respect to Manchester.

Not bothered about the flashiness, we just like that AE is upmarket and has a really nice high street with lots going on unlike lots of places these days.

Thanks for these suggestions - will take a look.

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:00

Upton-cum-Chalvey. It's got a fast train to London, and it's easy to get to Oxford from there. Windsor and Eton are nearby for celeb spotting and coffee shops..

InveterateWineDrinker · 10/02/2026 12:56

Luton is exactly like Alderley Edge, maybe a little more cosmopolitan, and the houses are cheaper too. Good access to highly rated international airport, just like you're used to. You'll love it there!

campaignforreasonabledebate · 10/02/2026 12:51

Also came on to suggest Gerrards Cross or Beaconsfield. Both are upmarket and reasonably lively, affluent villages / small (ish) towns, with a not dissimilar feel to AE (though no flash car meets, snd perhaps slightly less "showy" than AE can be - though often is not). Both have a similar positioning with respect to London as Alderley Edge does with respect to Manchester.

Princejoffyjaffur · 10/02/2026 12:45

Loads of lovely places in your circle and much nicer than Cheshire IMO

user946372 · 10/02/2026 12:45

Beaconsfield fits. Quick train to London but nice rural area and very good high st. Also gerrards cross is similar.

jeaux90 · 10/02/2026 12:40

I live in a Market town called Thame. It’s the perfect balance between rural and city life. Can get into Oxford by bus really easily and our high street has a fabulous mix of independent and chains. There is a station 1 mile away. My advice, which is what I did when moving out from London, get a short list and just visit them.