Where to move to in the north?

[DamnUserName21]

Posting for info.
Single parent (1 DC Y8), work in healthcare, renting a one bed in SE. Cost of living ridiculous.
I'll never afford a mortgage in SE and renting is just getting more and more expensive.
I'm considering moving north but I don't even know where to start.
I don't drive so this place needs to have good transport links, a bit of culture, good secondaries, safe neighbourhoods, affordable rents, and near a beach!
Any ideas??

[KirstenBlest]

North is a bit vague.

If you are looking at moving from the SE to the NW, be prepared for the weather being wetter.

[DamnUserName21]

@KirstenBlest

North is a bit vague.

If you are looking at moving from the SE to the NW, be prepared for the weather being wetter.

Yeah, I'm well aware. Fishing around for ideas.

[KirstenBlest]

Cumbria might be an option. The coast up there is stunning.

[KirstenBlest]

@Just looked on ritemove and there's a house in Maryport for sale for under £100K

[HarrisonStickle]

[quote KirstenBlest]@Just looked on ritemove and there's a house in Maryport for sale for under £100K[/quote]
There's a reason for that!

[residentkaleidoscope]

Leeds or York.

[KirstenBlest]

@HarrisonStickle, Aye, 'appen

[Incywinceyspider]

I've lived in both the North East and Wirral. My DM lives on the sunderland coast. IMO the beaches are better in the North East. Wirral beaches are good for dog walks but not paddling/sandcastles. However in terms of culture/transport/opportunities for young people give me the North West any day.
Wirral still has the grammar school system, which you may want to bear in mind.

[justjuggling]

I would suggest Newcastle

[KirstenBlest]

There's a reason the NE coast is unspoilt. The sea water is cold.

Aren't there cheap areas in Kent? (I know it's not in the north)

[cafesandbookshops]

If you’re looking for hospital based jobs I would look at all the jobs in the north you could apply for, narrow them down by salary and locations that interest you most, apply for a few different ones and let fate decide!

That’s what I did with my current job and im so happy I plan to stay in the area permanently even though I hadn’t really been here before I got the job.

Or start with the main cities and plan to get to know them a bit better with some weekend trips. I second Chester, Preston and Manchester suburbs.

[DamnUserName21]

Or start with the main cities and plan to get to know them a bit better with some weekend trips. I second Chester, Preston and Manchester suburbs.

This is my plan. I've made a shortlist and will work from there.

[halulat]

Crosby or Waterloo in Liverpool. On the beach and train lines to the city centre.

[NigelSlatersXmasTaters]

You definitely need to visit places for longer than a day trip.

There have been loads of suggestions for Liverpool and lots of people love it but I'd honestly be happy if I never set foot there again, awful!

I've lived in Preston too and it isn't something I'd consider again tbh. Although I prefer it to Liverpool!

Agree that there is zero cafe culture in Penrith 😆 and don't bother with Maryport!

[MyMushroomsInATimeSlip]

Lincoln

[KirstenBlest]

Where I live now is not in the north. I got a job here and after a few months in lodgings decided to stay.

I didn't like it at first but wouldn't want to leave now.

[MyMushroomsInATimeSlip]

Missed the rest of my message!

Cheap housing. Transport to coast. Some good secondaries

[DamnUserName21]

I'll avoid Penrith and Maryport.

[NigelSlatersXmasTaters]

I would

[Hopeisallineed]

@DamnUserName21

I'll avoid Penrith and Maryport.

…And Preston.

[bettertimesarecomingnow]

@DamnUserName21

Isn't Edinburgh pricey?

Yep! Very!

[bettertimesarecomingnow]

Chester does have a lovely cafe culture and lots going on but I think it's ££ to buy. Tiny terraced two bed houses are like 220k

You would get a lovely three bedroom here for that with garden

[KirstenBlest]

It depends where's 'here' is.

My search on Chester suggested prices were lower than you suggested. There's one listed at a very low guide price.

The prices quoted on MN might vary from real life.

[6789Advice]

We considered Preston to move so we had DC going into Yr 7 and 8 and ruled it out as there seemed such a shortage of places in the better schools and even more family homes have been built since then!

We are glad we ended up elsewhere as non of us like Preston centre, personally I loath the traffic to get in and out seems utterly torturous even in the evenings due to all the traffic lights and crossroads I think.

Penwortham is lovely like a mini village but no idea what the secondary school situation is like and is the wrong side for working at the hospital.

[Lj8893]

You could definitely get more for your money in Chester than what has been suggested.

We were planning to buy in Chester but ended up moving elsewhere, the house we were looking at was £230000 for a city centre large 3 bed semi.