Stay in Yorkshire or move to Lancashire (Preston area)?

[Isabella83]

I'm currently living in (South) Yorkshire with 7 year old DD and my partner. DD's dad lives in Preston and, as we have little family here, there's nothing really tying us to this area. If we moved over there, then DD would be closer to her dad which would be helpful in terms of less travelling, and also school runs etc.

I have little experience or knowledge of the Preston area, and I'm worried that it would be a bad move. We rent at the moment, but ideally I'd like to buy within the next few years.

Is Preston better for raising a child, or would you stay in Yorkshire?

Stay in Yorkshire

The answer for me in that situation would probably depend on where in south Yorkshire I was living. Schooling is important I think.

I lived in Preston ten years ago. I have no idea whether it's improved since then, but you couldn't pay me to go back.

I’m in Doncaster (a nice part) 😅

Schools are definitely a big deciding factor. I’ve contemplated moving to west or North Yorkshire too, as it’s obviously much nicer in parts.

@ShinySquirrel is/was it that bad?

I was a student and unhappy, which has probably coloured my views to be honest.

It's a city and like all cities there are rough areas and I wouldn't want to live in Deepdale, Ribbleton or Avenham. But there are nice places on the outskirts of Preston. The university has played a huge part in cleaning up the town centre and its environs. There are nice green spaces around and there's a good shopping centre. Preston train station is busy and runs regular services North South and East. And there is a big bus station. (I'd still want a car.) You've got easy access to Manchester and the lakes.
Sorry, I don't know anything about schooling.

Beautiful places Preston way. Ribble Valley, whittle le Woods, wheelton, Garstang. There have been posts on here suggesting areas. Id move if I were you

I’d move.
Some beautiful countryside outside the city. You’re far nearer to beautiful beaches than anywhere in West Yorkshire is. Really easy reach of the Lakes, less than an hour.
People are really friendly. You do know that the best thing about Yorkshire is the road out to Lancashire

Is there some nice beaches not too far from Preston? Would people say quality of life is better in that area than it would be in Yorkshire?

Beaches:- all within an hour or less
St Annes
Southport
Formby
Crosby
Blackpool, nobody thinks of the miles of clean golden sands it has washed by high tides twice a day
Morecambe with the view across the bay of the Lake District mountains
In fact most of the Lancashire coast is sandy rather than rocky.

I can’t in all honesty compare the quality of life with West Yorkshire as I’ve never lived there, only visited. But I live in a Lancashire village, originally from the Lake District, & it doesn’t compare. Beautiful scenery, lovely people, without the summer tourist crush.

Some lovely areas on the outskirts of Preston. Great transport links, by road and train. Much preferable to South Yorkshire in my opinion

I live in South Ribble (to Preston) which is semi rural with great schools. Ten minutes into the city, half an hour from the coast and an hour from the Lakes, Manchester, Liverpool.
I love it here, it's quite desirable, but wouldn't live in Preston city itself which as a Prestonian pains me to say, is pretty grim in many parts these days tbh.
Don't know Yorkshire well enough to compare.

I moved from Preston 7 years ago, after living there 20 years. We moved to start a business and are still in Lancashire.

There are some nice areas of Preston;
Penwortham
Fulwood
Cottam
Walton Le Dale

There are some good schools, also some not so good.
The thing that would put me off Preston is the traffic. It is very often gridlocked, especially if there is an accident on the M6 and everything diverts through.

@moonbedazzled

It's a city and like all cities there are rough areas and I wouldn't want to live in Deepdale, Ribbleton or Avenham. But there are nice places on the outskirts of Preston. The university has played a huge part in cleaning up the town centre and its environs. There are nice green spaces around and there's a good shopping centre. Preston train station is busy and runs regular services North South and East. And there is a big bus station. (I'd still want a car.) You've got easy access to Manchester and the lakes. Sorry, I don't know anything about schooling.

That ^^ I live in an area (not one you mentioned!) which has a bad reputation, it's fine. Been here 15 years and in the area longer, came for Uni and never left!

I think preston is great to get to lakes, beaches ect. I'd probably stick to the outskirts. Cottam, Lea, broughton, Barton, clifton ect

Move to Preston? No.
Move NEAR to Preston? Yes.
Providing you do your homework.
I live half an hour drive from Preston. In a tiny village. We have access from the door to woods, reservoirs and moorland. We can walk for over two hours on a lovely sunny Sunday morning without seeing another person.
Around an hours drive to the coast, which I can see from my house.

I reckon you're 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other. Why Preston in particular? Are you looking at more house for the same money? Access to a town centre? Schools? Have you looked at the outskirts of Leeds?

Preston because my daughters dad lives there. Although he works from home so technically he could move closer to Yorkshire but he’s stubborn 😤

I live south of Preston. I would not move to Preston if you are happy in a nice area of Yorkshire. Will your DD's dad definitely stay in Preston?

If you're serious about moving I would look at areas of Lancashire around Preston. Rent will be higher in the nice villages around, eg Garstang and areas towards the Ribble Valley, so that is something to consider.

Is keep on the east side of Preston. Chorley is mostly nice, near the M61 if you want to go back to Yorkshire for visiting any family or friends.

North-East Lancashire, the beautiful Forest of Bowland? 30 mins ish from Preston.

Penwortham is handy for the city and trains. Is there an area youre thinking of?

DDs dad says that he is almost certain he will be staying in the Preston area. I’m obviously nervous about uprooting DD and changing schools, and areas. But it would benefit her being close to us both.

Having spent all my life in South Yorkshire, a change might be good?

Penwortham seems like a good option, and also Chorley. Obviously schools are my main priority

@Oncemoreforluck which areas would you recommend?

Wouldn't move to Preston itself, but there are some truly lovely places around there (am local). Lancaster is far far nicer, and in easy reach of Preston if you want more of a town feel. Lots of fab market towns/villages. Re schools, it's a selective area, so bear in mind for the future for your DD