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Original poster

Seeking 'middle class' communities/market towns in Midlands/north

162 replies

Silversky70 · 10/05/2019 21:34

Hi. We are desperate to move to a nice community in the north or north Midlands. Probably a market town as we're sick of the city and probably not ready for a village. We want somewhere that feels safe and friendly which is the opposite of what we have now. We'd need good schools. Can anyone suggest anywhere so that I can start my research. We really want to get out of where we are. Thank you.

Budget for a detached property of £250k max which is the problem!

OP posts:
tittysprinkles · 11/05/2019 06:08

Why do you need a detached house? Are you very noisy? 250k might get you a very lovely semi or terrace?

ValleyoftheHorses · 11/05/2019 06:17

Skipton
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69819832.html
You would need to pay for 11+ tutoring to get children into Skipton Girls’ or Ermysteads, both excellent Grammar schools.

beela · 11/05/2019 06:22

I was going to suggest Kenilworth but that might be too far south for you. And your £250k won't go very far.

Also op has disappeared.

ineedaknittedhat · 11/05/2019 06:25

Hexham is fantastic. Amazing part of the country with easy access to Newcastle, Scotland, The Lakes, beautiful coastline etc. House prices up here are very affordable.

Pinkarsedfly · 11/05/2019 06:25

Pocklington

AngelinaNeurosurgeon · 11/05/2019 06:25

I wouldn't say Market Harborough is in the north Midlands, it's south of Leicester.

tittysprinkles · 11/05/2019 06:27

Have a look at Helmshore, Rossendale. Lots of good/outstanding primary schools, nearby Haslingden High school is good (was outstanding) and there is then BRGS mixed sex grammar school as well. Houses quite cheap. Very scenic up there (if a little wet and windy!). You are close to Bury which has good shopping and a great market, and not too far away from Manchester either. I worked up in that area for some time and the people are really very nice and friendly I know quite a few professionals etc who have chosen to live there as well.

Decormad38 · 11/05/2019 06:28

Malton, pickering, Skipton, - ( im trying to think where 250k would get a detached). Goole, near Hull ( Willerby), Tadcaster,

whiteroseredrose · 11/05/2019 06:36

Hi #blueuggboots I thought that might be the case. We visited someone there recently and it's lovely and in the Midlands!

TheCumbrian · 11/05/2019 06:36

Kendal

4 bedrooms, detached £235000-£255000 guide price

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69253174.html

There's a few others in that price range but that ones a bargain (it's converted from the old mint cake factory too Grin)

FreeFreesia · 11/05/2019 06:37

Meets the brief. Catchment for great secondary schools & always oversubscribed primary. Was in Sunday Times top places to live listings last month.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81607697.html

Original poster
Silversky70 · 11/05/2019 06:41

Oh my gosh! Just woke up to these replies! Too much rightmove made me fall asleep!

We do really want a detached as we are currently in a semi and tip toe around a lot which I hate, and as a young family we are quite noisy and would like to be noisy. I've also had bad neighbours before.

Where we live is very violent with increasing knife and gun crime on our doorstep. We want somewhere quieter and more rural.

We could look at Shropshire, staffs etc up to Cheshire and maybe further north even, all depends on travel for dh's job.

We would need a minimum 3 bedroom.

Our two top priorities are a sense of community and a detached property.

I'm going to check out your suggestions. Thank you. I know we're asking for a lot but it's all we have!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Silversky70 · 11/05/2019 06:44

I would actually love Cumbria or Yorkshire. Might be do-able.

OP posts:
Original poster
Silversky70 · 11/05/2019 06:47

@ValleyoftheHorses that is beautiful! Those fields!

OP posts:
Ladymargarethall · 11/05/2019 06:47

I was going to suggest Oundle, but not on that budget (although much cheaper than the south east).

ValleyoftheHorses · 11/05/2019 06:54

Just realised it’s a semi Blush - I put detached into rightmove!
Skipton is nice though- I work there.

Ladymargarethall · 11/05/2019 06:54

Market Harborough has a 3 bed detached doer upper bungalow for that price, but otherwise Stamford and Market Harborough only offer semis.

BikeRunSki · 11/05/2019 06:56

You might just be able to get 3 bed detached in Penistone, South Yorkshire. Lovely little market town, loads going on, good primary schools and a secondary.

Original poster
Silversky70 · 11/05/2019 07:00

I will be compiling a list this weekend. We have two years to relocate so will need to research online and then get visiting these places. It's really daunting, so thank you for taking the time.

OP posts:
skunkatanka · 11/05/2019 07:02

You won't get your wish list in Cumbria OP. Have you looked at Lancaster?