Relocating to Chester

[greglet]

DH, DS and I are relocating to Chester this summer. We'd like to live somewhere round Westminster Park/Lache/Saltney for work reasons. Which local estate agents would you recommend, and does anyone have any feedback on the areas?

Budget would be up to £500k and we'd like a four bed detached house with garden and garage. Not averse to new builds but looking for freehold rather than leasehold, and a bit worried about flooding risk.

We'd really appreciate any insights!

Tbh I wouldn't really want to live in any of those areas. Some bits of Westminster Park are ok but would definitely avoid the Lache and Saltney. Chester is pretty small and easy to get around, so you could probably look a bit further afield. Vicar's Cross, Handbridge, Upton and Hoole are all much nicer areas.

Thanks @RunAwayNow - what's wrong with the areas I mentioned?

I would look at Handbridge as you want to be that side of Chester.

@greglet You'll find the Lache in particular has comparatively higher crime rates and more social problems than in other parts of Chester. You may not love the local schools if you have kids. I'd definitely look further east eg Handbridge.

Agree with previous posters- avoid lache and saltney. There's far nicer areas in your budget eg hoole, handbridge , Upton, Newton, christleton etc.

That's really helpful, thanks! Any estate agent recommendations?

I’d avoid the areas you listed. For the very small increase in commute I would go for Upton, Hoole, Christleton. Or if you’re desperate to be on that side of Chester and don’t mind being further out and across the Welsh border I’d look at Hawarden or higher kinnerton maybe Dodleston.

Hoole is absolutely lovely. Nice little high street with charity shops, Boots, Costa and a few indie stores.

Just look on Rightmove Op - the majority of estate agents are on there. Also check Zoopla.

I would echo what all PP said. Lache Lane through Westminster park has some gorgeous big houses. But otherwise the Lache itself is a deprived area. Some ok new builds in saltney but really not a desirable area.

I started off in saltney because it was cheap and moved to Hoole as soon as I could. I stayed there for a long time and now I’m in upton. At your budget I would recommend Hoole and Upton. Hoole is vibrant, great community, walkable to city centre. Easy to jump onto the motorway. Upton has lovely houses and quiet. Easy to get into town on the bus and jump straight into the motorway.

for example:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142750340

Estate agent wise - great ones are Carman Friend, Changing Home, Douglas Butler. I have personal experience buying and selling with them.

Ones I had bad experiences with - Humphreys and Matthews.

@Gymmum82 Hawarden looks lovely, thanks for- will definitely do some more research!

@mnahmnah thanks for the recommendations!