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

[Silversky70]

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!

He covers Midlands and up to lancs. It changes.

St. Annes has been mentioned. Not particularly cheap, landscape flat as a pancake and not much there. You’ll be doing most of your shopping in Blackpool just up the road (some of which is absolutely horrible, including the town centre) or Preston, which is a bit of a slog.

You could easily get a nice 3 bed detached in Cheshire - I wouldn’t say the towns are totally middle class though will have MC areas, but they are low crime and with a nice sense of community.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E1169&minBedrooms=3&maxPrice=260000&minPrice=200000&radius=3.0&propertyTypes=detached&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=detachedshouses&includeSSTC=false

Good schools in sandbach too

Ormskirk?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58708464.html

Barnard Castle. Detached houses within budget, community feel, lovely market town near Durham and Darlington.

I love these threads. I really like looking at properties in different areas.

Beverley, Harrogate

Again, you can't get a detached house in Harrogate for £250k!

Anyone know Winsford, Cheshire?

Winsford ok, sandbach and Nantwich nearby much nicer

You would need to pay for 11+ tutoring to get children into Skipton Girls’ or Ermysteads, both excellent Grammar schools

You really don’t as a given

TBH there is only one area in Beverley I would hesitate to buy in (but only hesitate not a out right no)

I grew up in Beverley

Keele, Madeley, Audley, Nantwich, Alsager in North Staffs/South Cheshire.

In Alsager you’d need to move next door to the high school and not be a in year admission to get in or you’ll be sent to a failing school across the border.

But I do really like Alsager.

Marsden, W Yorks has loads of family stuff going on.

Also, Slaithwaite down the road 3 bed detatched, £200K

Both feed into Colne Valley High School - Alma Mater of the new Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Stamford is lovely but £250,000 for a detached could be difficult.

Bourne isn't too far away, isn't as nice as Stamford but would get you a lot more for your money.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23234033

If he does the Midlands and up to Lancashire then I'd go Midlands because if his job changes to cover Midlands and further south you won't be looking at moving.

lincolnshire

Formby

I wouldn't move to winsford @Silversky70 . Parts of it are not nice and the high school
Isn't great - new housing has meant that getting in to northwich schools rarely happens.
Have a look at the new estates of Winnington Village and Hartford. Primary schools and secondary schools are great and Hartford a lovely village. Northwich is OK and has some good bars and restaurants as well as a monthly artisan market which is great.

We left London for Harrogate which seems to be a well-trodden path. Schools are fantastic here.

It is just about possible to get a 3 bedroom detached house in York.