To ask where in the North West England is the best place to live

[KnitsBakesAndReads]

Just that really. I'm so so fed up of London for a variety of reasons and am daydreaming about upping sticks. For family reasons, somewhere in the North West (Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, etc) would probably be top of the list.

So, tell me what part of the region should be on my family's shortlist if we do move. Only limitation is that it would need to be in, or within commuting distance of, a reasonable size city for work reasons. Part of the reason for wanting to leave London is not being able to afford a house so we also couldn't afford other very expensive areas.

I haven't lived in many places so looking forward to getting some ideas. Thanks mumsnet!

Ormskirk, Ormskirk, Ormskirk! Decent town centre, university, good schools, lovely houses, easy access to southport, Preston, Liverpool and Manchester.

If schools are a big thing for you then somewhere in Trafford maybe. Timperley, Altrincham, etc. Tram into Manchester for jobs.

Chester, Knutsford. Even Northwich is on the up now

Oo and second Tarporley but may be a bit quiet. And Nantwich but Crewe is not so great.

Leanback
Lol,
I am in Ansdell :)
Guess I'm just confused and in no mans land between Lytham and St Annes

Another vote for Lancaster! I went to uni there and didn't appreciate it. Went back for the day en route home from the Lakes recently and remembered how gorgeous it is. I would seriously move there in a flash.

I'm the other end of the tram line (seriously, for all its faults, the tram's pretty handy to get in to town with no bother) and just down the road from Tottington/Greenmount.

It's lovely round here. I'm 25mins from Manc, 5mins from a Country Park, 10mins from the Countryside, and 10mins from the ring road. And my house was only £75K (small - SMALL - terraced house), the food market is brilliant, Ramsbottom, Whitefield, and Prestwich are on the up, and everyone's friendly. And we have a grammar school too.

However, Sale is bloody lovely.

I'm in Wigan houses are good prices. My parents live slightly further north in a village called Charnock Richard which is v v nice. About an hour from Manx/ Liverpool, maybe 30 mins from Preston.

I think OP might be a bit depressed by the prospect of having to live in a shoebox if she stays down south mortificado...

Also both of those locations are right on the M6

The lakes. We live in Lake District. Beautiful scenery, safe place to live. Close to motorways. Not cheap to buy but a great place to bring up kids

Lancaster is a small city and 20 minutes drive away from the seaside (ok it's Morecambe but a seaside is a seaside!) plus about 30 mins from Arnside and Silversale which are clay beaches but lovely and an hour away from the Lakes. Schools here are really nice too and have a small town feel to them, plus two grammar schools.
Plus Lancaster University and a Cumbria University Campus.
There also always something happening here music festivals, light up Lancaster, Christmas at the castle etc. You can always find something nice to do on a weekend or evening.
There seems to be a real community feel about the place even though it's a city.
It's also got a regular train service to Preston, Bolton and Manchester.
Downsides are health care isn't quite a good as the bigger cities as there is less choice. There is only one hospital whereas where I used to live there were maybe 5 good hospitals with 15 minutes of my house.
Also if you're coming from London the shops close at 5pm which I found horrifying when I first moved up here I was used to late opening shopping centres and 24hour supermarkets everywhere.

Defo ormskirk Burscough or Aughton. Burscough made the top 20 places to live in the uk and has had huge investment lately she moving forwards. The canal area is lovely and it just got a booths!

All schools in the area are mainly outstanding with a few rated good. All kids get their local school no problem (though must be of faith for the faith school naturally).

Close links to the beach at Formby (it's not all footballers at all😂) and close enough to Liverpool and Manchester.

Also close enough to 4 main universities by commute if necessary.

With regard to a previous post I'm delighted ormskirk stayed under Lancashire - other neighbouring towns are lancs too - Burscough rufford parbold etc

Ormskirk train from the centre to Liverpool centre takes exactly 35 minutes

Liverpool or Wirral for me.

The Garston area of Liverpool is lovely. Gorgeous houses, big parks, good schools etc

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned Widnes? Great transport links and depending on your budget some really nice parts in the North of the town x