Pretty, clean, safe place to live commutable to Manchester?

[GotMooMilk]

We currently live in a desirable suburb of Manchester close to the city but recently it’s lost its shine. So much litter everywhere, so so busy with cars, it feels scruffy and run down. We would like to be near somewhere with more green space that’s generally well kept and pleasant to live in. We have small kids so need to consider schools.
Any suggestions or anyone live somewhere lovely they would recommend?

Nobody come up with Rochdale so far? Or Little borough? Both have good motorway/train links to Manchester, trams run through centre of Rochdale.

Slaithwaite
Marsden
Delph/Dobcross
Greenfield

FWIW I don't think OP should take anybody's opinions on public transport seriously. After all Google Maps is free, and she can try the journeys herself.

@GotMooMilk points to consider:

1. Trains a)Peak time pricing

Season ticket is 1.3K a year but gets the journey down to a fiver a day for a 5 day commute. Otherwise it's close to a tenner for peak-time return. This is my 20 min journey from a station 5 stops away from Manchester Piccadilly.

b) Strikes
Constant, almost every month these days! I have no idea why so many MNers consider 'a direct train' = great public transport. I can only presume that they either don't go out much, drive or otherwise have very low standards.

You don't want to be left stranded. Which leads me to my next point..

2. Driving - Manchester and elsewhere! Apart from parking charges which are through the roof. If you don't regularly drive into Manchester the peak-time gridlock is a sight to behold. I've been stuck in an hour of non-moving traffic in the city centre personally. The same applies to a lot of other 'naice' and pretty places. Like Glossop. Only a few roads leading in and out, much congestion even trying to get out, 30 mins before you even start your journey elsewhere.

A friend chose Glossop because she worked in Cheadle and was supposedly handy for the motorway... big mistake. She took 2 hours to come home the first day!

Consider all this carefully...

How about these - on the outskirts of Frodsham, you can get a train to Manchester, Liverpool and Chester from there. Over 45 minutes though. Nice little town with some good bars and restaurants and great schools (if you need them)

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139477073

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139449497

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138599717

New mills