Preston Vs Edinburgh

[PrestonVsEdinburgh]

Hi NC as potentially outing. Looking for advice. I currently work in Edinburgh and absolutely love it here, trying to buy at the moment but the housing market is very active and it seems almost impossible to get anything without significant additional savings when flats are going for 20k over the home report I work in a job that I love but it is very stressful and i’m Struggling at the moment due to leadership/management problems.

I’ve been approached by another employer based in Preston and am considering a move there to improve my overall quality of life. Now I know nothing about Preston except that it rains a lot (hate wet weather). I’m going there to visit in a couple of weeks but would like your thoughts on Edinburgh vs Preston as a place to live. I have dogs so good walks/green space is important (brilliant in Edinburgh) I like beautiful architecture, big open skies, and easy access to countryside. Plus city comforts - bars, cinemas etc. I’m also quite active so a decent climbing wall, running club etc would be good.

so wise MNetters if you know Preston/Edinburgh at all can you tell me what you think? And which bits of Preston are nice?

There are some beautiful places around Preston
Winckley square. Avenham park, I meet my friend on Worden park for dog walks. Rivington, white coppice and Heapey are all stunning

No disrespect but there are beautiful country areas outside all towns aren't there. As a town, Preston doesn't compare to Edinburgh. (and Edinburgh has better countryside than anywhere else has anyway :))

The OP asked about easy access to countryside...
I think the city centre is improving, lots of new restaurants and bars. I do go to Trafford centre for a change which is close enough to go there for an evening or weekend anyway
I'm probably 3 miles outside the city centre which works well, easy access to motorway/supermarkets/town

I left Edinburgh and really miss it. I am in another small city but it just doesn't have the buzz and energy and beauty of Edinburgh.
It's been one and a half years and I am starting to adjust but it is has been hard.

If you move you need to commit to really throwing yourself into liking the new place!

Sorry, didn't spot that!

(and Edinburgh has better countryside than anywhere else has anyway smile)

I disagree - I live in Cardiff now and the one thing that is better than Edinburgh is the ease of access to huge expanses of nature. Oh, and the weather is warmer so I spend much more time outdoors!

I don't know much about Preston, but of you're looking at a gin bar sort of place, have you thought about commuting from somewhere like Clitheroe? It's a small, but busy town with rail links into Preston, full of independent shops and nice bars. You have cracking country-side literally just there (Pendle Hill etc). Burnley is nearby for climbing walls etc.

Not a city feel, but seems to meet your other requirements?

I'm from Preston but haven't lived there for decades. I don't think I'd live in the centre. I'd be more inclined to a village type place such as Kirkham or Lytham or a city centre such as Manchester. Edinburgh isn't that far to visit either.
You'd really need a good weekend in a car to suss out Lancashire as a whole. Otherwise Location Location Location are always looking for people!

Yes, Preston has a university. I’m not sure it has the buzz of a city with a university. Most students are local who commute in.

Preston city centre would be an awful place to live. No one is suggesting that it offers everything the OP has requested. Everyone is suggesting places outside.

Lancaster has lots of really nice places to live within walking distance of both the city centre and open countryside.

I don't know about Preston but I live in a city that people from outside (who have probably never even visit it) turn their noses up at. But it's a really nice place to live, the cinemas, bars, architecture is there in most places, you just sometimes need to look a little deeper and smaller places have access to countryside, Preston is close to the coast too. Whether it's right off you I can't tell you but looks can be deceiving and quality of life really has other factors than looking pretty (I've lived in Cambridge and hated it, full of tourists and cobbles do your knees in!)

Go with an open mind and scratch beneath the surface. If you do relocate rent initially because you need to work out where to live

Thank you everyone - definitely lots to consider - I hadn’t thought about commuting from Lancaster or Clitheroe so that’s definitely something to explore along with the areas of Preston already mentioned. This thread has been super-helpful

I’m going to give the Edinburgh housing market a couple more weeks and visit Preston and surrounding areas in mid June, then make a decision.

Please keep info/opinions coming - it’s much appreciated!

@le1la Great to hear about your experiences - it does indeed sound as if we’re doppelgangers!
Please keep me posted on your Preston experiences!

Def lots to think about - thank you

Preston is grim.

However, Lytham which is a 20 min drive away is lovely with lots of green space, bars and restaurants. But it's a quiet place and after the buzz of Edinburgh you'll be bored witless.

Lancaster is easy to get to Preston from and might be your best bet? It's a very short and well connected train ride away.

I really wouldn't move to Preston especially with your list of wants. I don't think it ticks a single box, sorry :(

The downside of Lancaster is no late evening train service from Manchester if you want to go to see a band etc you have to drive or get someone to pick you up from Preston.

Preston isn't a nice place to look at, that's for sure.

Love living in Edinburgh. No where else like it. Has all the amenities of a capital city-shops, hotels, bars, theatre, concerts, restaurants, but still feels small, easy to walk from one end of city centre to other ( and you'll bump into people you know on the way).
Add into the mix sight seeing, amazing architecture and history ( I've lived here many years and still discovering hidden gems), plus beautiful central parks.
And 15/20 minutes drive you are out in the country or at the beach. Good networks for travelling, decent schools, choice of work/jobs etc.

Clitheroe is lovely but I would not recommend commuting to Preston from there! The trains link that way are poor - you have to change in Blackburn and it takes the best part of an hour. Also, slow, rickety trains without tables, so you couldn't easily work on the way. Driving can be pretty slow and frustrating as there's a lot of traffic on the A59.

I agree with pp that Lancaster is where you need to be if you want to recreate a bit of Edinburgh vibe but work in Preston. But it is of course much, much smaller than Edinburgh.

Personally, I think Preston could be a great place to work if you want to embrace a rural/semi-rural lifestyle, but from what you say, Edinburgh sounds like a much better fit. I'd give the housing market a bit longer and hope for the best. It does ebb and flow to some extent and sometimes you get lucky.

Politically, there's no way I would want to move from Scotland to England at the moment. Or maybe ever. The North-West is pretty pro-brexit - though maybe the urban parts a bit less than the rural parts?

Oh I like Preston, wasn't it in the paper recently because it's the only city that's been thriving in face of the cuts ?? The parks and walks are amazing, plus you have Lancaster about 10 minutes away by train........my brother lives in Lostock hall which is on the outskirts. He settled there after going to Preston uni and picking up a very good degree and job along the way. It isn't that bad !!

And of course Avenham park which I don't think a lot of people realise even exists (( it's quite tucked away ))

My favourite walk is from the continental pub, through avenham park and stop at cedarwood coffee

I'm from near there. I agree Lancaster is your best bet, or Lytham - smaller but v nice. Preston is grim.

I moved to Preston from Scotland and moved back 3 years later because Preston is a shithole! Don't do it!

Thanks all! Some pretty clear feelings which is actually really helpful
I’m def getting the vibe that if I move - which is not at all definite - then Lancaster might be a better bet overall
That’s helpful.

I do love Edinburgh, I do want to stay here, but I don’t want to be 40 and still renting or stuck in a job where i’m not valued. I’ve heard that to be promoted you need to move away - if that’s true then Preston is probably in my future

How much can you afford to spend on a property?

I would get as close to the station in possible as Lancaster so if you end up working in Manchester the journey isn't too onerous.

I’m from South Ribble which is a district south of Preston. It was recently voted the number one place in the country to live. There is also the Ribble valley which Very moneyed, lots of nice restaurants etc. Both areas have great transport links. I love living where I live. I live in a lovely village with nice schools. I can be in Manchester or Liverpool or the lakes in an hour. Lytham is nearby which is great for restaurants and days out with the kids. Southport nearby too which is is great for day out.

I have had a few nights out in Edinburgh. Yeah it’s prob better for a night out but Manchester and Liverpool are close contenders. The weather is better in Preston. I found the suburbs of endinburgh grey and depressing.

Ps Lancaster is grim! I went to uni there. Most depressing place on earth with nothing nearby it.