to think it's grim up North?

[threefeethighandrising]

We are going to relocate in the next few years, and Manchester is a serious contender for DP for jobs.

If DP was to get work there then we would live somewhere semi-rural and commutable.

But ... the only experiences I have of Manchester and the surrounding areas are though my ex. He was an arsehole of the highest order, and the many people he introduced me to (his family and friends, in Manchester & Glossop) were the most painfully dysfunctional, damaged people I have ever had the misfortune to meet.

My opinion of the area is that it's the last place on earth I'd want to live, and my skin crawls when I think of the time I spent there.

But it can't all be like this can it? Surely IABU and my experiences with my ex are clouding my judgement? Surely there's a good (great?) side that I've just not seen?

Can you sell it to me?

Thanks everyone. So IABU then? Good Still finding it hard to shake off the feeling that I should run a mile from the place, but pretty sure that's down to my bad experiences with my ex!

I reckon a commute of 1.5 hours is about our maximum, and DP's work would likely be in the North East of Manchester.

DP keeps pointing out there are lots of beautiful places around there.

Suggest you stay down South then threefeethighandrising since you've probably offended the very people who are best placed to advise you!!

We don't want to live in Manchester BTW. I'm from London, and I'm done with city living.

Our ideal would be somewhere semi rural but near a thriving (market?) town, and easily commutable to a big city.

Friendliness sounds good VicarInaTutu

I live in Cheshire and often go to Manchester for meetings. There are lot's of great things gong on there...plus many gorgeous village and towns nearby.

Well you've got Chester to the west, with lots of little villages round and about; Skipton type places in Yorkshire; the Peak district .... lots of places within a 1 1/2 hr radius

Dunno where you live, Dooin but I do know it's the othwer side to where I did. :) I didn't mean to offend, was taking the piss, sorry. I knew I'd get pulled by some "proper", real distant, not middle of England northerners and was waiting for the comeback with a grin but wasn't setting out to be personal.

I'm speaking of a teeny, tiny village where half were related and ruled the roost and the other half were scared of them - sadly in this case the big family from the area were also the local ASBO lot. No, that's not common, I know, really, I was just unfortunate. (Bloody unfortunate as it goes, it really was a nightmareish situation for us, younger DD in particular).

All that said, your countryside is beautiful, rolling hills... gos they're breathtaking and the coast on your side superb.

Shame about the sodding weather that far north though!

I'll get me coat... :o

Shake off your prejudice. Manchester is a vibrant and easy place. And you mention Glossop in your OP. I live in Glossop. It's beautiful and interesting in itself plus is the gateway to lots of lovely countryside, as well as being 40 mins by train to M/c central.

get over yourself.

I cannot possibly say where I am from as there has been a not very flattering TV show filmed here recently [bush]

I intend on moving and attending elocution classes asap

I knew you were only joking, btw.

There are stacks of beautiful places all round Manchester. We live in Salford. Before I moved up here I thought Salford was Coronation Street and Lowry paintings. We live in such a green and pleasant area: here

If you want to be centralish and have the money you'd go for Didsbury
If you want to be centralish and you're a vegan/arty type you'll want Chorlton
If you're a footballer's wife you'll want Hale and Alderley Edge ( Plus near us, we have Ryan Giggs )
If you're moving up from the south and you want to replicate your current life you might go for Sale or for less money Stretford.
If you want moorland and even more north you might go for Ramsbottom and Rossendale
You could live in the Peak District, there are trains to commute to Manchester.
You could live in outer Stockport which is nr the peaks e.g. Marple, Poynton - a nightmare car commute but there are trains
There are actually some lovely rural parts of Bolton.
Other pleasant areas are Urmston, Flixton, around Altrincham, the Heatons (in Stockport), Cheadle, Bramhall (expensive), Timperley.
Possibilities which you might not automatically think of; Prestwich, Swinton

If you were to shade where not to live on a map of Manchester it would cover all of the area immediately adjacent to the centre and most of the north and north east.

eeh, whippets, flat 'ats, black pudden, constant rain and cold.

My gran used to make Curd Tarts, I never saw them in a shop until I worked in Darlington.

Always get some Bury Pudding when I go to Altringham.

Enjoy teasing DP about being a Northerner (comes from Leicester but we live on S Coast now)

[bush]??? I best add on some typing lessons too

More seriously, OP, as a Londoner myself who's also done with city life, yes I'd go for the chance you have. A semi-rural home near a market town sounds lovely to me. It's what I have here down south but as you know it's so damn expensive. I'd be happy to have all that near Manchester AND to have it far more affordable too.

NE manchester? that's puurfect. PM me if you wish. Or be snooty. Your choice.

oooh Dooin I think I know, does it begin with C?
whydo - do you know I know loads of people who want to buy wine to drink while they learn the oboe :o I will pass on their numbers

Phew, thank gawd for that! Thank you Dooin, I appreciate your generous spirit, there honestly was no intention to offend. :)

Check out Lymm, Grappenhall, Alderley, and then some of the Cheshire villages, Budworth, Antrobus etc. Marple Bridge is nice too, but then I also love Padfield and Glossop. I think it was Padfield where they filmed A League of Gentlemen but don't let that put you off. You're not local...

"Maybe his social circle had something to do with it." I'm absolutely sure you're right SharonGless . It was an education if nothing else!

I'll search out the beeb threads, thanks.

"What are you looking for?"

Somewhere nice to bring DS up. He's 2.5 now, and we'll probably move when he's 5. (Would be much beter the year before so he doesn't have to switch schools but it's just not possible earlier).

"What are the benefits to where you live now?"

Um, let's see. We only moved here a year ago but we've met some really nice people. It's very sunny (we live on the English south coast). The sea's nice. We live in a town rather than a cit and I like the pace of life. The local school is good. We're not far from my family and friends (London)

But ... the jobs my DP is after are round here would be in London, and the commute is just too horrendous from places where we can afford a house. And I want a nice house. DP really wants to pursue this career and I'd rather look at other places than face a regular long London commute or compromise on the house.

Incidentally I work too, but it's easy for me to find work, I'm not nearly as bound to location as DP is. Also I can fairly easily do freelance from home if needs be.

No. Not C, but it is in Co. Durham.

I live in the no-mans land that can't decide if it's Merseyside or Cheshire (locals will know where that is!) and it has it's good points and bad points. Some parts are really really grim, then 2 minutes down the road there are houses worth millions.

Bag - TLOG was filmed in my village - Hadfield, beside Padfield. Just so's you know.

sorry, shoudl ahve said W
(C)

Pleease PM me, I am soooo nosey, can't think of anywhere round here that;s been on the tv!

Or just ignore me :o

Its not grim up north,

I am from the NE. The area I live in quite nice but there is so much more nicer places.

I dont know much about Manchester but surely you will be able to find an area that is nice?

Thanks for the advice on places people, much appreciated, I'll check them out with a bit of Googling.

Actually, if you need to be NE of Manchester, Hebden Bridge is a good bet - ver ver cultured, a lot of medja types are based there.