Moving to Leyland

[freestyle8]

Hi, I am new here. My family and I are from Manchester and wish to move in a detached home. We found this lovely house in Mayfield estate in Leyland near Balshaw High School and Worden Park but not sure if this is an excellent place to raise a family. I am weary as I've heard awful opinions about Leyland. The house we are about to purchase was also up for sale for so long so we are wondering if there is something we don't know about in the area that could potentially stop us from buying?

Hope people who live in Leyland or anyone who has known the area I am talking about could give me some help in deciding.

I'm relatively close to Leyland and whilst there are some areas that I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, it's quiet around Mayfield Road.
Would you be looking at schools or colleges? For secondary, I know a few people who had children at Balshaw and never heard them complain. For college, you would be looking at Runshaw which, again, is pretty good.
Nearby is Preston which offers more in terms of housing and schooling but, honestly, the worst areas in Leyland are still nowhere near as bad as the average areas in Preston.
Depending on what your actual needs are, have you considered any of the outlying villages? Croston or Eccleston for example.
If you're used to Manchester city living and all it offers , it goes without saying, you can't compare the two.

It's murder getting around in rush hours

@jamfirstcreamsecond thank you for the info. That is a relief to know then. Actually the neighborhood is quite charming, surrounded by lots of trees and is exactly what we are looking for. We were looking into the Whittle le woods, Parbold, Prestbury, Longton and Eccleston but it is either no house within our budget or we were outbid. I have heard that Leyland was recently awarded funding to improve its town centre. Hopefully, that will push through in few years. We want to get out of the city actually. Looking forward to a suburban neighborhood that is friendly and where my LO will thrive, with outstanding nursery and primary schools, nearby amenities like parks and markets with organic and fresh produce.

@winewolfhowls so i’ve heard. anywhere we look seems to be the same problem. This house just ticked all the boxes for us so we have to make do with that bit.

Not entirely sure that the last part of your wishlist is going to be fulfilled...
Worden Park is however lovely and great for kids to run around.
Re the traffic: it's no worse than any other town and, having commuted around Manchester and Liverpool, will be significantly less stressful.
In terms of other locations, have you looked at Chorley??? The town centre has suffered the same as other small towns, esp post Covid, but also has a really nice park and the outdoor market has some lovely food stalls which may be more up your street?

I grew up very near to Leyland. It’s nice. There are some rough bits, like in any town, but generally the people are friendly and Worden Park is absolutely incredible. We live down south now and my kids still ask to go back just so they can go to Worden Park.

Balshaws in a great school and the colleges in Preston and South Ribble have always been among the best FE facilities in the country.

I do find the traffic up there to be bad at times but they’ve just spent a shit load of money on bypasses to get to the motorway so I think things are a little better now. I’d go for it.

@jamfirstcreamsecond we actually prefer it there but we were outbid in a house in whittle le woods, sadly.

@JaniceBattersby thank you. That is great to know. My LO will surely enjoy it then.

The Mayfield estate is lovely, plus you are handy for motor way links and as mentioned the beautiful Worden Park is on your doorstep. The local council have been awarded £25 million to improve the centre and amenities. There is a lot of building taking place and hopefully the town will continue to improve. All the best

Leyland isn't a 'pretty' town, it's functional.
The main shopping street isn't the greatest, but it's okay. It has a Boots (I don't know how it keeps going), Iceland, bakery, indoor market, Subway and a few other small, independent shops.
The town has Tesco, Morrison's, Aldi, Lidl and a small Asda. Booths, Sainsbury's and a large Asda are all within a 3 - 4 mile drive.
Recently a number of restaurants and bars have opened and during summer, despite covid, the town centre was quite vibrant. There's also a Wetherspoons.
From my experience Leyland is a safe town. I've never felt uncomfortable or threatened when out at night.
The town has a well respected college (Runshaw) and there are several more in nearby Preston.
There are many lovely villages and new housing developments nearby - Eccleston, Mawdsley, Heskin, Croston, Charnock Richard, Euxton, Buckshaw Village etc.
The M6 junction is in the town and there are nearby links to the M61, M65 and M55. And of course, there's also a railway station.

I have family up there - first Whittle le Woods and moved to Leyland. Kids went to Balshaws and both got really good GCSEs (and are not particularly academic). Worden Park is lovely.
Very well placed for days out - Lakes/coast/Manchester not far away, and my family are always out and about.

Mayfield area is fine and another vote for Worden Park from me, especially if you have children.
Schools are ok, colleges are good.
Not shopped in the town centre for a while but it was ok when I went.
If you can’t hold out for somewhere in Longton, Higher Penwortham or Eccleston then Leyland is a close second.
Paul’s Farm on Dunkirk Lane is an excellent farm shop and there is a butcher on site too.

@GeorgieFlame @SpamhappyTootsie @SweatyBetty20 @TurnTheShipAround thank you all so much for your kind inputs. You have helped me feel at ease about this decision. Hopefully that £25 million will really turn things around and make Leyland a lovely town to visit. Fingers crossed! It will bring a lot of opportunities and attract more to the area. I am not hoping for something posh, as long as area is charming and safe. I still am quite sad about not getting the house we wanted first which is in Whittle le woods but this house is similar, I was just a bit skeptical about the neighborhood. So really appreciate your infos.

Hey. I know this is a mega old thread but interested to know how the move went and also tips from anyone in Leyland. Due to move in next few months with primary aged kid and keen to settle, put down route so activities/ group recommendations welcome!

@MAMA1kk We moved to Leyland 3 years ago from London (we have a 5 and a 2 year old). We love it here! We are close to Worden park in a new build and have settled and made friends. We ended up choosing to send our children to independent school as felt the primary in our catchment wasn't good enough. Otherwise, there is so much to do for the kids and I have made some lovely mum friends. Maybe join the Leyland Hub facebook group to keep across local events. Good luck with your move x

So sorry I have only just seen this. We are here and love it. We might even be on the same estate as you 🤣
We found an amazing school in a local village (just outshone the closer ones). We just need to build our lives here more now get really settled but lovely neighbour and very happy so far 😀