Where to move in northern England?

[Alexfree]

Hi guys, I hope you are well. I really need some advice so I have turned to my trusted mums netters for some ☺️.

We want to relocate to the north of England. My husband has a job in Lancaster but works remotely so we have flexibility in terms of moving anywhere really but would prefer the north. He goes to Lancaster three times a year so can catch a train from anywhere.

We live in a “sought after” area at the moment so would want something similar in terms of well looked after area, low crime rate, good/excellent schools, good amenities, professionals/families etc.

We would like to move somewhere not to far from the coast (10 miles or so) and also somewhere that has lots of green space/semi rural.

We have a budget on 250-260. So a semi-detached would be great.

We would also need to move somewhere that has some diversity due to our ethnicity and not wanting to feel a little isolated/or that we stand out etc.

Any ideas?

thank you in advance x

Even 'up north' you will struggle to find a semi for 250k in a sought after location

What about Lytham? Coastal, a bit upmarket and with a fab windmill on the green! Lovely places to eat, good schools and not too far from Lancaster.

NE is where you can afford to buy but you aren't likely to get a sought after area

Alnwick, Morpeth, Kendal, Ulverston, Lytham.
What about N Wales?

My sister in law lives in Clitheroe. It's a very diverse community. Close to the hills, close to the lakes. Lytham not far away for the seaside. They have the grammar school there too. Lancaster really close too.

Clitheroe’s a good shout too actually. But further from the coast but a nice area.

Just had a quick look on Rightmove and love this Lytham home - www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127811756

Or actually, Lancaster itself could fit the bill in terms of professionals etc, and you’re not far from Morecambe Bay

Poulton or parts of Preston?

Thank you

Thank you all, these are brilliant suggestions. I know it’s not the highest budget but staying positive about what we can find :-). Lytham is beautiful but very expensive so wasn’t sure we could look there. We thought of Poulton which has good reviews but wasn’t sure if it was too close to Blackpool and if it is would it be a concern or not as we would visit the beach often there? Clitheroe sounds good, so will have a look, thank you ☺️. Lancaster doesn’t have much at the moment in our price range in the south of the river which is the “nice part”. X

Thank you. Did consider Cumbria too but it’s so large didn’t know where to start so these suggestions are great. Excuse my ignorance but what areas are N. Wales? I’ve been to Barmouth of late and thats it so don’t know much about Wales would definitely have a look. ☺️

I'd agree with Morpeth. It's not diverse but it meets the rest of your criteria and looking on rightmove, you could get what you want within budget.

I used to live in Lancaster. I lived just north of the river in Torrisholme. I wouldn't exclude all parts of the north and you certainly do get more for your money.
What about Bolton Le Sands even. This 3 bed semi is in budget ( I know it needs some work though )
I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127426847
I live in Chorley now about 30 miles south. Definitely get a semi for your budget here.

Poulton’s nice and not too Blackpool-y. It’s separate enough to have it’s own thing going on. It’s somewhere people go for a nice night out (unlike Blackpool!)

Kendal is lovely if you’re thinking of heading north. Cockermouth’s worth a look too - quiet but scenic.

If you’d consider Preston, Penwortham is a good area to look at. Close to the city for train routes but a smart little town with excellent schools, amenities and a good sense of community. Some of the outer areas of Chorley, like Whittle-le-Woods are good too, but the town itself isn’t as lovely as some of the others mentioned on the thread.

The north west is a great part of the country. I’m sure you’ll find somewhere that suits your family perfectly.

You could also look at Cheshire although it tends to be a bit pricier, but places like Frodsham are good.

Formby or Crosby - lovely coastal outer suburbs of Liverpool.

In fact there is a detached house here in budget!
I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127903196

That house is in St Anne's, not Lytham. It's towards Blackpool, hence the price.

Penwortham is a suburb, not really a town. Lovely place and agree about schools. I have close family there.

I'd say look at Morecambe as an up and coming area. Lancaster would work, good schools including grammars and not far from coast. It's a place of increasing interest.

You could look at North East. Bridlington has two fantastic beaches, a harbour and you can find a semi detached house close to beach, within half a mile, for £260k.

@milkysmum definitely not Coppull. I was born there!!! It

South Ribble is a very affluent area south of Preston. Penwortham, Longton, Hutton etc. Lytham is lovely but is rather cut off and once your children gets to highschool you have an issue as there aren’t enough high schools unless you want to pay private. Clitheroe/ Ribble valley area is also very affluent.

Penwortham is a town in its own right - it has its own town council but I agree it does feel more like a suburb due to its proximity to Preston. Lovely either way.

North Wales is not very diverse at all.

Wrea Green Posh area in traditional village.

Newton Not as posh but still nice. More welcoming to newcomers generally.

Oh yes, no wonder it's a detached for that low, do ignore Coppull- it's nots great!

Whittle, brinscall, Withnall, Croston, Buckshaw Village, Eccleston all offer a nice location that's got the beach - (Southport, Formby), greenery - (the lakes, rivington pike etc), cities - (Manchester, Liverpool, Preston) all under an hour and, of course, close enough to Lancaster.